Three Connecticut residents have been arrested and charged for submitting fraudulent claims to the state’s Medicaid program, according to authorities.
On January 7, 2026, law enforcement arrested Venice Garner-Moore, Vernon Moore, and Tonya Jackson, all associated with Embrace Your Difference, LLC of North Haven, a business offering counseling, life coaching, and workshops.
Venice Garner-Moore, 43, of East Haven, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a co-owner of the company. She faces multiple charges, including Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community, Health Insurance Fraud, Identity Theft, and related conspiracies. Authorities said that between December 2020 and April 2023, Garner-Moore conspired to use Medicaid recipients’ personal information without consent to submit claims for services that were never provided. She also billed for services performed by unlicensed individuals. The fraudulent claims submitted totaled $29,429.93.
Vernon T. Moore, 43, also of East Haven and co-owner of Embrace Your Difference, LLC, faces charges including Larceny in the First Degree and Health Insurance Fraud. Officials said Moore, who was unlicensed in Connecticut from January 2021 through April 2023, submitted claims for services not provided, totaling $8,232.81, and provided behavioral health services without a license.
Tonya Jackson, 59, of New London, formerly employed by Embrace Your Difference, LLC and Family Reentry Incorporated, was charged with similar offenses, including Identity Theft and Health Insurance Fraud. Between December 2020 and March 2021, Jackson allegedly used a Medicaid recipient’s personal information without consent to submit false claims while providing services without a license. The fraudulent claims totaled $19,966.08.
Garner-Moore and Vernon Moore are scheduled to appear in court on January 20, while Jackson’s court appearance is set for January 16.
All charges — Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community, Health Insurance Fraud, and Identity Theft in the First Degree — are classified as B felonies in Connecticut, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.
