Hungry Horse woman sentenced for Medicaid fraud

MISSOULA — A 48-year-old Hungry Horse woman who pleaded guilty to illegally receiving Medicaid and Social Security disability benefits by hiding assets has been sentenced to eight months in prison and ordered to pay $82,000 in restitution.

Yvonne Owens-Morris was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen in Missoula.

Court records say Owens-Morris qualified for benefits after reporting she received $300 per month from a family member, received food stamps, had $100 in the bank and two vehicles worth a total of $4,500.

Investigators found she didn’t report receiving $87,000 in proceeds from the sale of a bar or a $101,000 insurance settlement she received after being injured in a fall. 

Prosecutors say she also did not disclose a $2,600 investment account or her interest in Texas property valued at more than $47,000.