Westford Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for $100 Million Home Health Care Fraud Scheme
Faith Newton, a 56-year-old resident of Westford, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for orchestrating a massive home health care fraud scheme that defrauded taxpayers of over $100 million. The sentencing, delivered by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole, Jr., also includes three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and $99,734,517 in restitution.
Newton, who was convicted in July 2024, faced charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and three counts of money laundering. She was found not guilty of one count of money laundering conspiracy. Her co-defendant, Winnie Waruru, pleaded guilty to related charges in 2022 and awaits sentencing.
From 2013 to 2017, Newton operated Arbor Homecare Services LLC, using it to defraud MassHealth, Massachusetts’ Medicaid program. The fraudulent activities included billing for home health services that were never provided, paying kickbacks for patient referrals, and forging documents to cover up the lack of required training for home health aides.
Newton directed her employees to create falsified notes from nursing visits that never occurred. She also pressured doctors to sign off on unnecessary care plans and employed patients’ family members under sham contracts to provide services that were medically unnecessary.
Under her leadership, Arbor submitted claims for untrained and uncertified home health aides, violating legal training requirements. Newton further concealed this by forging training documentation and providing hires with pre-filled exam answer keys.
When MassHealth ceased payments to Arbor in 2017, Newton wrote herself and her husband $2 million checks, backdating them to appear as Christmas bonuses.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley described the scheme as a “massive, years-long fraud” that exploited a program designed to help vulnerable residents. She emphasized the serious harm caused to patients, taxpayers, and the health care system, highlighting that Newton prioritized personal luxury over the well-being of others.
Special Agent Roberto Coviello of the Department of Health and Human Services underscored that Newton’s actions represented a grave abuse of taxpayer-funded health care programs, stating that justice had been served.
Acting Special Agent Thomas Demeo of the IRS Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office called the fraud an “elaborate scheme” that deprived thousands of Americans of critical health care resources. FBI Special Agent Jodi Cohen added that Newton’s actions betrayed the trust of patients and their families, all in the pursuit of personal gain.
Newton’s crimes not only compromised the integrity of essential health care services but also highlighted vulnerabilities in systems designed to serve the nation’s most vulnerable populations. Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to combating health care fraud, ensuring that those who exploit these programs are held accountable.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William B. Brady, Christopher R. Looney, and Carol Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit. Newton’s sentencing serves as a stark warning against health care fraud and a reminder of the consequences of prioritizing greed over the well-being of others.
