Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested Keith C. Suber, 53, of Eastover, SC. Suber faces charges of one count of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult and one count of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent, valued at $10,000 or more. He was booked into the Lexington County Detention Center on July 30, 2024.

An investigation by VAMPF revealed that between January 5, 2018, and February 7, 2024, Suber allegedly misused funds and assets belonging to a vulnerable adult. It is alleged that while acting as the victim’s power of attorney, Suber converted $202,753.05 for his personal use. The victim resided at OPUS Post Acute Rehabilitation during the time of the alleged misconduct.

The case was referred to VAMPF by OPUS Post Acute Rehabilitation and will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine up to $5,000, or both. Breach of Trust involving amounts over $10,000 carries a penalty of up to ten years in prison or a fine at the court's discretion.

Under federal regulations, VAMPF has authority over Medicaid provider fraud; abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries; and exploitation within assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

Attorney General Wilson emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit operates as VAMPF and receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant totaling $2,698,638 for federal fiscal year 2024. The remaining 25 percent is funded by South Carolina, totaling $899,546 for FFY 2024.