Precious Cruse Convicted of 17 Federal Charges Related to Prenatal Care Coordination Scheme

Strategic Insights -

Precious Cruse, owner and operator of a now-defunct prenatal care coordination company called Caring Through Love, has been convicted of 17 federal charges, including healthcare fraud, anti-kickback statute violations, and money laundering. The scheme involved luring vulnerable pregnant women and young mothers into the company's program with kickbacks in the form of free baby items, and then using their personal information to submit false claims to Medicaid. The evidence presented at trial showed that participants often received only occasional deliveries of diapers and baby wipes, and in some cases, nothing at all.

Key Takeaways:

  • Precious Cruse was convicted of 17 federal charges, including healthcare fraud, false statements related to healthcare matters, anti-kickback statute violations, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.
  • The scheme involved luring vulnerable pregnant women and young mothers into Caring Through Love's prenatal care coordination program with kickbacks in the form of free baby items.
  • The evidence presented at trial showed that participants often received only occasional deliveries of diapers and baby wipes, and in some cases, nothing at all.
  • Cruse used the fraud proceeds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including luxury travel, designer clothing, and an $18,000 custom diamond necklace and bracelet for her toddler.
  • The defendant faces a mandatory minimum 2-year sentence on the aggravated identity theft charges, and a maximum 20 years' imprisonment on each of the healthcare fraud charges.
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Control Unit investigated the case.
  • Assistant United States Attorneys Julie F. Stewart and Kate M. Biebel prosecuted the case.

Statistics:

  • 17 federal charges were brought against Precious Cruse, including healthcare fraud, false statements related to healthcare matters, anti-kickback statute violations, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.
  • The scheme defrauded Medicaid and potentially other healthcare programs of an unknown amount.
  • 2 years is the mandatory minimum sentence on the aggravated identity theft charges.
  • 20 years is the maximum imprisonment sentence on each of the healthcare fraud charges.
  • $18,000 is the cost of the custom diamond necklace and bracelet for Cruse's toddler.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin:

September 12, 2025 statement regarding the conviction of Precious Cruse.