Attorney General Raul Torrez Recovers $1.5 Million from Former New Mexico State Police Officer Charged in Substance Abuse Recovery Scheme

Strategic Insights -

Attorney General Raul Torrez secured a plea agreement against former New Mexico State Police Officer Morgan Ortiz and Dr. Keith Levitt, who were indicted for their involvement in a substance abuse recovery program scheme that defrauded Medicaid and involved identity theft. The defendants, who operated a now-shuttered program, billed the Medicaid program hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent claims. As part of the agreement, Ortiz pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges, including Medicaid Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft, and Practicing Medicine Without a License. Both defendants face up to three years in prison and are jointly and severally liable for restitution in the amount of $1.511,528.78.

Key Takeaways:

  • Attorney General Raul Torrez recovered $1.5 million from former New Mexico State Police Officer Morgan Ortiz and Dr. Keith Levitt, who were involved in a substance abuse recovery program scheme.
  • The defendants operated a now-shuttered program that billed the Medicaid program hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent claims.
  • Ortiz pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges, including Medicaid Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft, and Practicing Medicine Without a License.
  • Both defendants face up to three years in prison and are jointly and severally liable for restitution in the amount of $1.511,528.78.
  • The New Mexico MFEAB receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, totaling $3,451,202 for federal fiscal year 2025.
  • The remaining 25 percent, totaling $1,150,401, is funded by the State of New Mexico for fiscal year 2025.
  • Ortiz and Levitt are facing severe consequences for their actions, including potential 21-year prison sentences if they violate parole.
  • The case serves as a lesson that exploitation of the vulnerable by preying on individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders will be investigated and prosecuted by the New Mexico Department of Justice.

Statistics:

  • Total restitution amount: $1,511,528.78
  • Funding for the New Mexico MFEAB:

+ Federal funding: $3,451,202 for federal fiscal year 2025

+ State funding: $1,150,401 for fiscal year 2025

  • Year indicted: 2024
  • Approximate amount billed to Medicaid in fraudulent claims: hundreds of thousands of dollars

Sources:

  • New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ)
  • https://nmdoj.gov/
  • New Mexico Department of Justice's Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau (MFEAB)
  • https://nmdoj.gov/about/medicaid-fraud-and-elder-abuse-bureau/
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • https://www.hhs.gov/
  • New Mexico State Legislature
  • NMSA SS30-44-8
  • https://www.nmlegis.gov/laws/18/NMSA/1978/30-44-8.htm