Woman Charged After Allegedly Spending $600,000 in Medicaid Funds on Plane Tickets and Uber Eats

Owner of a home health care provider in Minnesota is facing serious felony charges after investigators allege she diverted more than $600,000 in Medicaid funds for personal use. Authorities say the money, intended to support vulnerable patients, was instead spent on travel, food delivery and ride services.

According to a March 12, 2026 report from CBS Minnesota, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit charged Gertrue Kemunto Mongare with multiple counts of felony theft by false representation. Prosecutors allege that Mongare, the owner of B&G Caring Angels LLC, submitted more than 3,000 Medicaid claims over four years, totaling over $600,000.

Investigators claim that funds from the business account were used several times for personal expenses, including airline flights, food orders and ride services. The allegations have raised fresh concerns about oversight within Minnesota’s Medicaid system and how public funds are monitored once approved for payment.

What Investigators Say They Found

Charging documents state that the business account tied to B&G Caring Angels was allegedly used for personal purchases, including airline flights, Uber Eats orders and ride services . Investigators say those expenses were flagged during a review of financial records tied to the Medicaid claims submitted by the agency.

While the complaint does not itemize every transaction publicly, authorities allege that funds intended for in-home care services were instead directed toward travel and food delivery purchases . The reference to flights suggests longer-distance travel rather than minor incidental expenses, raising questions about how closely the business and personal finances were separated.

Beyond the spending allegations, investigators reported deeper compliance concerns. According to the complaint, there were no documented records showing that certain services were provided, no background checks on employees and claims that timesheets were submitted verbally. Prosecutors argue that together, these issues point to systemic billing problems rather than isolated accounting errors.

Why the License Remains Active

Despite the charges, state records show that B&G Caring Angels’ license remains active . That detail has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers concerned about whether payments should continue while a criminal case is pending.

Republican State Rep. Kristin Robbins, chair of the House Fraud Prevention Committee, questioned why payments are not paused in cases like this. The Minnesota Department of Human Services responded that it has the authority to temporarily suspend a license if the license holder is under investigation and that it is evaluating next steps.

The situation has fueled a broader debate about how quickly agencies should act when fraud charges are filed. For some lawmakers, the case highlights gaps between criminal prosecution and administrative action, especially when public dollars remain at risk.

A Broader Crackdown on Medicaid Fraud

This case does not stand alone. Across the country, Medicaid fraud units have been stepping up enforcement efforts. In Ohio, Attorney General Dave Yost recently announced indictments against 10 Medicaid providers accused of stealing a combined $578,000 from the program.

According to the Ohio Attorney General’s office, one defendant alone accounted for nearly $400,000 in alleged fraud. Investigators there are also using new data-mining tools to flag irregular billing patterns before launching formal investigations. Officials say the goal is to streamline fraud detection while preserving manual review by investigators.

In Minnesota, the charges against Mongare have added urgency to ongoing policy discussions. Gov. Tim Walz has proposed changes aimed at overhauling how Medicaid is administered, including centralizing oversight to improve transparency and accountability. As lawmakers debate reforms, cases like this underscore the high stakes involved when public health funds are misused.