Linda Smoot Radeker of Shelby pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to three felony counts of fraud conspiracy and money laundering.

 

The 61-year-old licensed counselor admitted in court she got at least $6.1 million in fraudulent payments for services she never provided. Prosecutors said Radeker "rented out" her Medicaid provider number to a network of co-conspirators in Gaston and Cleveland counties. The co-conspirators then filed false reimbursement claims in the names of local children, keeping up to half of the fraudulent proceeds.

 

Court records show Radeker used her cut to buy a new Lincoln SUV, a recreational vehicle and $500,000 in jewelry. She faces up to 30 years in prison and millions in fines.