Baton Rouge, Louisiana – A Mississippi couple, Vincent and Elina DeLeon of Carriere, were arrested by Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) agents on charges of government benefits fraud after allegedly defrauding the Louisiana Medicaid program of more than $162,000. Authorities report the couple concealed their true residence and provided false information about their marital status and income to illegally obtain Medicaid benefits between March 2023 and June 2025.

The LBI’s investigation began after a criminal referral from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), which oversees the state’s Medicaid program. Agents learned that Vincent, 51, and Elina, 35, DeLeon misrepresented key information needed to determine Medicaid eligibility. Notably, the couple had relocated from Louisiana to Mississippi approximately two years before the scheme was uncovered, but they continued to claim Louisiana residency in order to access taxpayer-funded health care coverage.

Medicaid, a government program that provides health coverage for people with low incomes, requires recipients to live in the state where they are enrolled. According to recent state audit findings, ineligible Medicaid enrollments remain a significant issue in Louisiana, with over 22,000 enrollees showing out-of-state residency indicators. Despite warnings and new data-sharing practices, the state has paid hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years for recipients no longer eligible due to their relocation out of state.

On August 4, LBI agents executed arrest warrants issued by the 19th Judicial District Court and booked the DeLeons into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison without reported incident. Both face felony charges of government benefits fraud under state law.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill commented on the case, stating that regardless of where wrongdoers reside, those who defraud the state’s taxpayers will be pursued and prosecuted. “The days of abusing the system are over,” Murrill said.

The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not ruled out further charges.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.