Jackson, MS?A Picayune psychologist has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felonious Medicaid fraud today, announced Attorney General Jim Hood.

Rodney D. Hesson, Psy.D., 42, entered an open plea (meaning he threw himself at the mercy of the court) to multiple counts of Felonious Medicaid Fraud before Judge Anthony Mozingo today in the Pearl River Circuit Court.  Hesson, of Slidell, LA, also maintains a residence in Poplarville, Mississippi.

Hesson was indicted by the Pearl River County Grand Jury for 11 counts of Medicaid fraud involving his billings submitted for reimbursement to Medicaid.  Hesson entered an open plea to three counts of the indictment.  Judge Mozingo accepted Hesson?s pleas of guilty and ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed and submitted to the Court prior to Hesson?s sentencing set for April 20, 2012 at 1:00pm.  The Judge can impose up to five years and a $50,000 fine per count.

Hesson was indicted by the Pearl River County Grand Jury for 11 counts of Medicaid fraud involving his billings submitted for reimbursement to Medicaid .  The fraudulent billings involved minor children, age 6 to 16, that were referred to Hesson for psychological evaluation or counseling at his place of business in Picayune.  Hesson closed his Picayune office in November of 2008 and continued to operate his practice in Louisiana.  The investigation showed that Hesson would meet with the child once and then bill for multiple visits for service.

The case was originally brought to the attention of the Attorney General?s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit by the Department of Medicaid.  Investigator George Ferguson, Program Specialist Richard Cameron, Auditor Gilda Holbrook and Nurse Lisa Lanham of the Attorney General?s MFCU investigated and developed the case for prosecution by Special Assistant Attorney General Pat McNamara.