Arizona ‘Amazing’ Takes Action: First Sentence Handed Down in Sober Living Scheme Crackdown

PHOENIX, Arizona: The first defendant in Arizona’s sober living home fraud scheme has received a sentence.

Ariel Dix, 37, entered a guilty plea to two felonies related to illegally controlling an enterprise.

She received a sentence of three and a half years in prison on May 30.

Dix participated in the establishment of fictitious clinics that submitted false service claims to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).

In recent years, sober living programs, also referred to as “sober homes” or “recovery residences,” have sprung up all across Arizona. These establishments make the claim to provide lodging and, on occasion, other services including counseling and support group gatherings to help people in recovery from addiction.

Nevertheless, some operators have taken advantage of this model for personal benefit, committing immoral acts that compromise residents’ safety and deceive insurance providers.

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A deliberate crackdown on sober living schemes was initiated by Arizona officials in response to growing concerns and abuse reports. Finding dishonest businesspeople and holding them responsible for their deeds is the aim.

To look into claims of wrongdoing and prosecute offenders, law enforcement agencies, regulatory authorities, and other stakeholders are working closely together on this crackdown.

In the greater scheme of fraud involving sober living homes, this sentence is the first.

According to the attorney general’s office, healthcare practitioners are the targets of this plan, which aims to help vulnerable people—many of whom are Native Americans seeking addiction treatment.

It is said that the plan has cost the taxpayers billions of dollars.