Attorney General Alan Wilson announces arrest of Washington, DC man accused of fraud against vulnerable adult in Upstate SC

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (SCMFCU) has arrested Ronnelle Nance, 54 years old, of Washington, DC, for one count of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult {43-35-0085 (D)} and one count of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent, $10,000 or more {16-13-0230(A)}. Nance was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center on April 25, 2024.

An investigation by the SCMFCU revealed that, between May 6, 2021 and July 31, 2023, Nance made unlawful and unauthorized use of the funds, assets, and power-of-attorney of a vulnerable adult. Specifically, it is alleged that Nance, while being entrusted with the victim’s funds and assets, fraudulently converted $58,302.32 of the victim’s money to his own personal use. The victim, a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law, resided at NHC Healthcare Mauldin, an assisted living facility, at the time of the alleged misconduct. 

NHC Healthcare Mauldin referred the misconduct allegation to the SCMFCU. This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office. 

Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult is a felony and, upon conviction, has a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Breach of Trust over $10,000 is a felony and, upon conviction, has a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a fine at the discretion of the court, or both.

Pursuant to federal regulations, the SCMFCU has authority over Medicaid provider fraud; abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries in any setting; and the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. 

Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

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