Attorney General Chris Carr announced the conviction of Teresa Renee Owens, 60, of Brookhaven, in a major Medicaid fraud case totaling $305,685.75.
Owens operated RJ Shepherd II, Inc., also known as Better Home Healthcare of Georgia, a company that provided behavioral health therapy services for children and adults. While enrolled as a Medicaid provider, Owens systematically submitted false claims to the Georgia Medicaid program and instructed employees to fabricate patient records to justify the fraudulent billing. The ill-gotten gains were funneled into her personal bank account.
“Medicaid fraud is theft—plain and simple,” said Attorney General Carr. “It diverts critical resources from vulnerable Georgians. If you’re trying to cheat the system, you will be caught, prosecuted, and forced to repay what you stole.”
Owens pleaded guilty in DeKalb County Superior Court to:
One count of Medicaid Fraud
One count of False Writings
One count of Identity Fraud
Judge Courtney Johnson accepted her plea on March 31, 2025, sentencing Owens to 10 years, with 1 year in prison and 9 years on probation. At a restitution hearing on April 28, 2025, the court ordered Owens to repay the full $305,685.75 to the Georgia Medicaid program.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Henry Hibbert and Assistant Attorney General Tarrea Williams, both of the Medicaid Fraud Division.
Since taking office, Attorney General Chris Carr has led efforts that have resulted in over 90 Medicaid fraud convictions and more than $19 million in criminal restitution. His division has also secured $108 million in civil settlements and judgments to protect the integrity of the Georgia Medicaid program.
The Medicaid Fraud Division receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with the remainder provided by the State of Georgia.
