Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Elisa R. Niles, a 42-year-old caregiver from North Charleston. Niles faces charges including two counts of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult, two counts of Financial Identity Fraud, and two counts of Obtaining Property under False Pretense with a value less than $2,000. She was detained at the Charleston County Detention Center on December 12, 2024.

The investigation conducted by the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) revealed that between December 1, 2023, and May 24, 2024, Niles allegedly misused funds belonging to vulnerable adults while working at Ashley Gardens. It is claimed she obtained bank account information from victims residing in nursing facilities in Charleston County and used it for personal payments.

These allegations were brought to VAMPF's attention by the South Carolina Department on Aging Long Term Care Ombudsman. The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute this case.

Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult carries penalties of up to five years in prison or fines up to $5,000 upon conviction. Financial Identity Fraud can result in up to ten years imprisonment or fines as determined by the court. Obtaining Property under False Pretense with a value less than $2,000 is punishable by up to 30 days in jail or fines not exceeding $1,000.

VAMPF has jurisdiction over Medicaid provider fraud and abuse cases involving Medicaid beneficiaries or residents in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

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

The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit operates as VAMPF and receives substantial funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant totaling $2,889,252 for federal fiscal year 2025. The state provides additional funding amounting to $963,084 for FFY 2025.