Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested Malla M. Hart, 55, of Boiling Springs, S.C., on multiple charges including one count of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult, one count of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent valued at $10,000 or more, and two counts of Forgery valued at less than $10,000. Hart was booked into the Spartanburg Detention Center on September 13, 2024.

An investigation by VAMPF revealed that between March 21, 2022 and May 13, 2023, Hart allegedly made unlawful and unauthorized use of the funds and assets of a vulnerable adult. It is alleged that Hart converted these funds for her personal use while being entrusted with the victim’s finances. Additionally, she is accused of forging the victim’s signature on online applications for credit cards through Venmo and Credit One. The victim resided at Lakewood Senior Living in Boiling Springs during the time of the alleged misconduct.

The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office. Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult carries a penalty of up to five years in prison or a fine up to $5,000 upon conviction. Breach of Trust valued at more than $10,000 carries a penalty of up to ten years in prison or a fine at the court's discretion upon conviction. Forgery valued at less than $10,000 carries a penalty of up to five years in prison or a fine at the court's discretion upon conviction.

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

The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (VAMPF) 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.