MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV) — A Milwaukee woman has been convicted two years after being charged with 20 federal crimes connected to a $2.3 million healthcare fraud and money-laundering scheme.
According to U.S. Attorney Brad D. Schimel for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Markita Barnes, owner of the now-defunct prenatal care company Here for You, carried out the scheme by exploiting vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers.
A federal grand jury indicted Barnes in June 2023. During her trial, prosecutors showed that Barnes and her staff lured women into prenatal care coordination programs by offering illegal kickbacks, including cash bonuses and free baby products. Once enrolled, the company misused their personal information to submit fraudulent Medicaid claims for services never provided, sometimes falsifying dates to make it appear services occurred long before enrollment.
Many participants received only occasional drop-offs—or nothing at all—despite claims billed to Medicaid. Prosecutors said Barnes used the proceeds to fund luxury travel, designer clothing, and a $75,000 Mercedes.
Barnes was convicted on all 20 charges, which include:
Healthcare Fraud
False Statements Related to Healthcare Matters
Anti-Kickback Statute Violations
Aggravated Identity Theft
Obstruction of a Healthcare Fraud Investigation
Money Laundering
The aggravated identity theft counts carry a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, while healthcare fraud charges carry up to 20 years per count.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 17, 2026.
