Mass. van company owner denies fraud allegations

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - The owner of a medical transportation company that provided rides for patients in the state's Medicaid program has pleaded not guilty to charges of improperly billing the state more than $470,000 for rides never provided, in some cases using the names of dead people.

Cynthia Keegan of Webster was released on personal recognizance after her arraignment Tuesday in Worcester on charges of larceny and false Medicaid claims.

Prosecutors say Keegan Enterprises LLC, doing business as Cross Roads Trolley, was contracted by the state to provide non-emergency medical transportation for patients using wheelchairs.

Prosecutors say over a five-year period, the company submitted more than 1,500 claims to MassHealth using the names of 47 dead people.

A woman who answered the phone at Keegan Enterprises said no one was available to comment.

Cox Media Group