Connecticut
CT woman charged with filing $145K in fraudulent Medicaid claims. It was for home care services.
A Connecticut woman who owned a home care program was arrested Thursday and charged with submitting fraudulent claims to Medicaid, officials said.
Evgjeni Baca, 41, of North Haven, was taken into custody by inspectors from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and charged with one count of health insurance fraud and one count of first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community, according to a release from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.
Between February 2019 and February 2021, Baca was the owner of Lean on Us Homecare, LLC, which was licensed to provide homemaker, companion and Personal Care Assistant services under the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. The program allows eligible individuals to continue living at home instead of being placed in a nursing home. To become eligible, applicants “must be 65 years of age or older and at risk of nursing home placement,” officials said.
According to the warrant affidavit, an investigation showed that Lean On Us Homecare personnel files did not include completed job applications, photocopies of driver’s licenses, criminal background check results or proof of mandatory training for the PCA workers.
“PCAs are required to have training to provide high-quality, person-centered-care to safeguard the health and welfare of older and disabled adults,” officials said.
The files also did not include “subjects who had criminal convictions that were not revealed to clients,” according to the warrant affidavit.
The warrant affidavit also alleged that Baca submitted billings for services rendered by her that were not rendered by her or any employee of Lean on Us Homecare. According to the warrant affidavit, Baca received $145,705.16 in payments from the Connecticut Medicaid Program by submitting the fraudulent billings.
Baca was released on a $100,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on March 7. The charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison, the DCF said.
Anyone who suspects fraud or abuse in the public healthcare system is asked to contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney at 860-258-5986.
Connecticut
Colorblends’ stunning displays make their spring return
A local favorite is back.
Colorblends is known for its garden and gallery house.
In the next few weeks, visitors will see vibrant flower bulbs coming into bloom in the garden.
You can also see works of art displayed in the gallery, in partnership with Ursa Gallery.
“We’re a wholesale flower bulb supplier, so it’s basically a living catalogue of everything that we carry,” says Colorblends owner Tim Schipper. “We have a lot of regular visitors that know to come a couple times in the spring time to see what’s going on.”
The garden and house are open until mid-May.
An artist reception is set for April 18 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Connecticut
Man Threw Rocks At Home, Deflated Tire: Plainfield Police
PLAINFIELD, CT — A man is accused of throwing rocks at a home and banging on the homeowner’s door, police said.
At 9:37 a.m. Saturday, police received a call for a report of vandalism to a motor vehicle on Church Street in Plainfield.
The caller reported that a Walmart delivery order containing perishable grocery items had mistakenly arrived on their front porch, police said.
The caller reported that upon realizing the items were perishable, the bags were placed inside their refrigerator to prevent spoilage, police said.
“The caller stated that an unknown male had then arrived at their residence and began throwing rocks at the residence, was banging on the door shouting profanities, and deflated a tire on the caller’s vehicle in the driveway,” police said in a news release.
After reviewing surveillance footage, officers made contact with the accused, Kyle Wilczek, 28, at his residence nearby and placed him under arrest without incident, police added.
He is charged with second-degree breach of peace and two counts of third-degree criminal mischief and was released on a $5,000 bond.
Connecticut
Connecticut’s top Indian restaurants of 2026, according to Connecticut Magazine
Once again, Connecticut Magazine has surveyed a panel of food experts to share their favorite places for it Top Restaurants for 2026 list. Experts have named restaurants in dozens of categories, from top cuisine (American, Mexican, Chinese, vegetarian, etc.) to outstanding apps and desserts, romantic ambiance, beer and wine selections and the top places to grab a burger or a slice of apizza.
266 S. Main St., Newtown, 203-304-9383
62 Main St., New Canaan, 475-256-5657
14 Danbury Road, Wilton, 203-210-7894 / 203-210-7895
929 Bank St., New London, 959-201-6913
65 Howe St., New Haven, 203-562-6226
385 Bank St., New London, 860-574-9414
150 State St., New London, 860-439-1809
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