Healthcare Worker Pleads Guilty to Medicaid Fraud in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Maryland man has pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud after admitting he double-billed the District of Columbia’s Medicaid program for services he never performed, causing over $113,000 in losses.

Amstrong Chapajong, 38, of Cheverly, Maryland, entered his guilty plea on Tuesday in U.S. District Court, confessing to one count of healthcare fraud for falsifying service records and defrauding the D.C. Medicaid program over a nearly two-year period.

Fraudulent Scheme Spanned Multiple Roles

According to court documents, Chapajong was employed between March 2020 and January 2022 as both a Personal Care Aide (PCA) and a Community Support Worker (CSW) in the District of Columbia. PCA services are designed to assist Medicaid recipients with daily living tasks, while CSW duties focus on mental health support in community environments.

Chapajong admitted to submitting false timesheets claiming he was simultaneously providing in-person PCA care and telephonic CSW behavioral health services to multiple Medicaid beneficiaries—often in different locations at the same time.

This fraudulent billing practice led the District’s Medicaid Program to unknowingly pay for duplicative services that were never provided, amounting to a total of $113,243 in fraudulent claims.

Federal Agencies Collaborate on Investigation

The plea was announced by:

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office
HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon
DC-OIG Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas

The case was jointly investigated by the FBI, the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG), and the D.C. Office of the Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (DC-OIG). The District Department of Health Care Finance’s Division of Program Integrity initially referred the matter and assisted in the investigation.

Restitution and Sentencing

U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss accepted the guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for January 7, 2026. Under federal guidelines, Chapajong faces:

Up to one year in prison
A maximum fine of $40,000
Restitution of $113,243
Asset forfeiture as part of the plea agreement

Government Response and Accountability

U.S. Attorney Pirro emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity in the healthcare system:

“This case reflects our commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars and holding accountable those who exploit programs meant to serve vulnerable individuals.”

Officials involved in the investigation highlighted how fraud impacts both the healthcare system and the people who rely on it. Medicaid fraud reduces the availability of resources for patients in genuine need of assistance.

Prosecution Details

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Facci, who is currently detailed from the D.C. Office of the Inspector General.

As this case moves toward sentencing, federal officials reaffirm their focus on preventing and addressing healthcare fraud, especially within programs that serve low-income and disabled individuals.

For those wishing to report suspected healthcare fraud, contact the HHS Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or submit a complaint online.