Former Prenatal Care Coordinator Convicted of Healthcare Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

Strategic Insights -

Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Precious Cruse, a former prenatal care coordinator, was convicted of 17 federal charges, including healthcare fraud, false statements, and money laundering. Cruse, who owned and operated a now-defunct prenatal care coordination company called Caring Through Love, exploited vulnerable pregnant women and young mothers by offering kickbacks in the form of baby items in exchange for their personal information. Cruse then used this information to submit false claims to Medicaid for services that were never provided. The evidence presented at trial also revealed that Cruse used the proceeds of her fraud to finance a lavish lifestyle, including luxury travel and designer clothing. Cruse faces a mandatory minimum 2-year sentence on the aggravated identity theft charges and up to 20 years' imprisonment on each of the healthcare fraud charges.

Key Takeaways:

  • Precious Cruse, a former prenatal care coordinator, was convicted of 17 federal charges, including healthcare fraud, false statements, and money laundering.
  • Cruse exploited vulnerable pregnant women and young mothers by offering kickbacks in the form of baby items in exchange for their personal information.
  • The company, Caring Through Love, used the women's personal information to submit false claims to Medicaid for services that were never provided.
  • Participants often received only occasional deliveries of diapers and baby wipes, or nothing at all, despite being enrolled in the program.
  • Cruse used the proceeds of her fraud to finance a lavish lifestyle, including luxury travel, designer clothing, and a custom diamond necklace and bracelet for her toddler.
  • The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2026, by Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper.
  • The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Control Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie F. Stewart and Kate M. Biebel prosecuted the case.

Statistics:

  • 17: the number of federal charges against Precious Cruse
  • 2 years: the mandatory minimum sentence on the aggravated identity theft charges
  • 20 years: the maximum sentence for each of the healthcare fraud charges
  • $18,000: the cost of the custom diamond necklace and bracelet purchased with fraud proceeds
  • January 20, 2026: the scheduled date of Cruse's sentencing hearing

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. (2025, September 15). Federal Jury Finds Former Prenatal Care Coordinator Guilty of Healthcare Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, Providing Unlawful Kickbacks, and Money Laundering. Justice.gov.