Mental Health Service Provider Facing Fraud, Criminal Conduct Charges

The owner of a Glenwood business that provides community-based, Medicaid-funded mental health and support services to children and adults, is facing felony charges following an investigation by the Mills County Attorney’s Office and Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals.

Suzan J. Griswold, 51, of Elkhorn, Neb., owner of Anchor Family Services at 3 N. Myrtle St., is charged with ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison; and fraudulent practice in the first degree, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $1,000 - $10,000.

According to documents filed in Mills County District Court, Griswold is accused of allowing individuals under the age of 18 to provide respite services to persons receiving Children’s Mental Health Waiver (CMH) benefits at Anchor Family Services. The Iowa Administrative Code requires all providers of respite services to persons covered by the CMH waiver to be at least 18 years old.

Griswold is also accused of fraudulent billing in excess of $10,000 for CMH respite services provided by employees under the age of 18 from April 10, 2013, to Oct. 13, 2014.

Mills County Attorney Tricia McSorley said allowing persons under the age of 18 to provide the CMH respite care and submitting financial claims for services performed by the same individuals are violations of Griswold’s contract with the State of Iowa.

The Medicaid CMH Waiver program provides funding for a variety of services and support for children suffering from serious emotional stress.

A preliminary hearing for Griswold is scheduled for Aug. 4 in Mills County District Court.