LAKE COUNTY, Ind. -- A former provider for the Indiana Department of Child Services is charged with theft following an Indiana Inspector General investigation.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s office filed one charge of felony theft against Lalita Arnold after the inspector general uncovered $25,673.65 in fraudulent billing to the state of Indiana.
An Inspector General report dated September 2 said the agency launched an investigation back in January 2015 to investigate double billing, including a female service provider who was working with several DCS vendors.
Inspector General Cynthia Carrasco identified the worker as Lalita Arnold.
Arnold worked for a vendor that provides court ordered services to Hoosier families including training on child care and nutrition, transportation, and housekeeping.
Arnold is suspected of submitting duplicate billings approximately 180 times between January 1, 2013 and August 28, 2014.
The report does not name the vendor, so it’s unclear if they are still contracted with the Indiana Department of Child Services.
Call 6 Investigates was unable to reach DCS spokesperson James Wide for comment on the Indiana Inspector General report.
Call 6 Investigates was unable to reach Arnold’s attorney for comment.
She is due in Lake Count court September 26.
