Moorhead Woman Faces 12 Medicaid Fraud Counts
Moorhead (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fargo woman faces 12 criminal counts in Clay County.
Christine Marie Pryor is charged with six theft counts and six identity theft counts.
Eleven charges are felonies, while one identity theft charge is a misdemeanor.
The complaint alleges Pryor used stolen professional credentials while providing behavioral health services in Moorhead.
More Than $156,000 Allegedly Paid
Prosecutors allege Medicaid programs paid $156,765.51 for services that were not eligible for reimbursement.
The complaint states Pryor received $108,356.09 through wages connected to those services.
The alleged conduct occurred during several periods between June 2021 and June 2024.
Investigators say Pryor submitted false progress notes to her employers.
Those employers then billed the Minnesota Department of Human Services and several managed care organizations.
The organizations included UCare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and HealthPartners.
Credentials Allegedly Belonged to Others
The complaint alleges Pryor used the identities of three licensed health professionals without permission.
She allegedly worked at Lakeland Mental Health Center and The Lotus Center in Moorhead.
Prosecutors say Pryor was not licensed for the therapy and counseling services she provided.
Investigators claim she used other professionals’ names and license numbers when applying for jobs.
The complaint also alleges she submitted a false university diploma and false transcripts.
More than 160 Medicaid recipients allegedly received services from Pryor over about two-and-a-half years.
Those services included psychotherapy, mental health treatment, and alcohol and drug counseling.
Prior North Dakota Case Noted
The Minnesota complaint also describes a related criminal case in Cass County, North Dakota.
It states Pryor pleaded guilty to theft by deception involving more than $50,000.
She was sentenced in that case on November 27, 2024, according to the complaint.
The North Dakota losses are not included in the Minnesota charges.
Readers can review public case information through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
More information about Medical Assistance is available through the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Learn more about Medicaid fraud enforcement through the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
The charges are allegations. Pryor is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
