CHICAGO — A Breese woman accused of using an elderly person’s debit card between January and May 2025 for personal purchases and cash withdrawals was arraigned in St. Clair County Circuit Court on felony theft and financial exploitation charges, Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office said.
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Nicole Snyder, 44, was charged with two counts of financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled person of less than $50,000 and two counts of theft of less than $100,000. All four charges are Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences are determined by the court.
Raoul’s office alleges Snyder stole more than $10,000 from the victim during the period.
“Some of our most vulnerable residents rely on services through Illinois’ Medicaid program to meet their day-to-day needs, and it is inexcusable that anyone would take advantage of these individuals and the program for personal gain,” Raoul said. “We will not tolerate abuse of Illinois’ Medicaid program, and we will continue to seek to hold these individuals accountable.”
Raoul’s office said the case is part of a coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants across the country, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm.
Raoul’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated and is prosecuting the case after a referral by the Mascoutah Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Ama Mends is prosecuting the case for the unit.
The public is reminded the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
