Former Owner of Frank’s Taxi in Somersworth, NH Headed to Jail in Medicaid Fraud Case

The former owner of Frank's Taxi will be moving into the Strafford County House of Corrections on Wednesday after pleading guilty to Medicaid fraud.

Edward Donnell, IV, 40, of Dover, pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to make false claims, presenting false records and destruction of records on July 19 at Strafford County Superior Court. He is expected to arrive at the jail in Dover at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Donnell was sentenced to 12 months in jail with a recommendation for administrative home confinement after 30 days on the conspiracy to make false claims charge.

Donnell was sentenced to serve one to three years at the New Hampshire State Prison for presenting false records, which was suspended for five years from his release on the false claims charge.

Donnell was also sentenced to serve a consecutive one to three years in prison for the destruction of records charge, but that was suspended for five years.

Donnell will owe $21,298.14 in restitution to New Hampshire Medicaid.

Frank's Taxi was located in Somersworth at the time Donnell owned the company.

Prosecutors claim that between July 2, 2015, and April 30, 2016, Donnell conspired with his employees and netted more than $20,000 for transportation services that were never provided.

David Hackney, 40, was a driver and mechanic at Frank's Taxi. He pleaded guilty on March 2 to charges of conspiracy to make false claims and conspiracy to commit theft by deception for his involvement in the scheme.

Hackney was sentenced to serve 12 months in jail on the charge of conspiracy to make false claims and two to four years at the New Hampshire State Prison on the charge of conspiracy to commit theft by deception.

The prison time was all suspended for five years from Hackney's release on the false claims charge if he is of good behavior.

Hackney was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $21,298.14 to New Hampshire Medicaid.

Liudmila Bulatova, 38, is Donnell's wife and handled the company's billing. Angelica Soule, 34, was Hackney's girlfriend. They have both been indicted by a grand jury for their involvement.

Assistant Attorney General Stephanie Johnson, Senior Assistant Attorney General Thomas T. Worboys and Investigator Robert Sullivan of the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated and are prosecuting this case.

What is the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit?

According to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Justice, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates and prosecutes fraud by healthcare providers who treat Medicaid beneficiaries.

Healthcare providers may include hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, dentists, pharmacies, ambulance companies or anyone else who is paid for providing healthcare services to Medicaid beneficiaries.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $855,236 for the federal fiscal year 2021.

The remaining 25 percent, which totals $285,078, is funded by the State of New Hampshire.

To report a case of provider fraud contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at 603-271-1246.

Contact Managing News Editor Kimberley Haas at Kimberley.Haas@townsquaremedia.com.