Carine Werner Takes Tribal Medicaid Fraud Case to Federal Prosecutors

Senator Carine Werner (R-AZ) is taking her fight against alleged Medicaid fraud directly to federal prosecutors, armed with what she says is new whistleblower evidence pointing to ongoing exploitation of Native American patients.

This week, Sen. Werner announced that she has forwarded a formal letter to U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine requesting federal criminal charges, civil enforcement action, and asset forfeiture related to alleged fraud occurring on tribal lands.

The move came after Werner turned whistleblower materials over to the Arizona Attorney General's Office and demanded a state investigation.

According to Werner, individuals came forward this month with detailed records and firsthand accounts alleging violations of Arizona Medicaid rules and state law. The allegations involve patient brokering, fraudulent billing, and repeat offenders who, Werner says, have continued to operate despite prior enforcement activity.

"Vulnerable Native American patients are being exploited right now while taxpayers foot the bill for massive fraud,” she added. “The excuses and delays must end."

Previous Battles

Furthermore, she has been at the center of legislative scrutiny over Arizona's behavioral health system for nearly a year. Her Senate Health and Human Services Committee has held five hearings since July 2025, examining what she describes as more than $2.8 billion in fraud running through the state's Medicaid program, known as AHCCCS.

Werner then argued that previous enforcement efforts fell short of what was needed to stop bad actors from simply restructuring and resuming operations under new names.

Directly pointed criticism at Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D-AZ), saying the office failed to secure aggressive enough prosecutions and asset seizures early on to disrupt the fraud networks at their root.

Additionally, Werner framed the whistleblowers' decision to come forward as a sign of trust that her office would follow through, and said the cases involve vulnerable patients who are being actively harmed while taxpayer dollars are misused.

"My office will keep pushing for prosecutions, asset seizures, and real reforms," she emphasized.

She is scheduled to hold a press conference on May 18, where she plans to field questions and outline the reforms she believes are necessary to prevent further abuse.