A Minneapolis man pleaded guilty Monday to making fraudulent claims while working as a custodial parent.
Fernando Navarro, 53, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft by false representation between July 2022 and Aug. 2024. According to the criminal complaint, Navarro was a custodial parent for a child who qualified for Medicaid services. Navarro applied for and was granted permission to provide those services under the Consumer Directed Community Supports program.
As part of the program, Navarro was required to provide care and services in person and document those services on a timesheet. Court documents say the child later moved to California to live with other family, but Navarro continued to submit timesheets. According to the criminal complaint, Navarro stole nearly $70,000 in false claims.
As part of the plea deal, Navarro will receive three years of supervised probation and is required to pay restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 13.
Navarro was one of seven people charged in connection with a massive Medicaid fraud takedown that included more than 40 state fraud units.
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