A federal jury has convicted Precious Cruse, the former owner and operator of Caring Through Love, a now-closed prenatal care coordination company, on seventeen counts including healthcare fraud, making false statements related to healthcare matters, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. The announcement was made by Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Cruse targeted pregnant women and young mothers by offering kickbacks in the form of free baby items such as car seats, pack ‘n plays, diapers, and baby wipes in exchange for enrolling in her company’s program. After enrollment, personal information from these women was used to submit fraudulent claims to Medicaid for services that were not provided. Many participants received only sporadic deliveries of diapers and baby wipes or nothing at all.
The prosecution also demonstrated that Cruse spent proceeds from this scheme on luxury travel, designer clothing, and an $18,000 custom diamond necklace and bracelet for her toddler.
Cruse is scheduled for sentencing on January 20, 2026 before Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper. She faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft charges and up to twenty years’ imprisonment on each count of healthcare fraud.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Control Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie F. Stewart and Kate M. Biebel prosecuted the case.
“Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 12, 2025, Precious Cruse, who was the owner and operator of a now-defunct Prenatal Care Coordination Company called Caring Through Love, was convicted of seventeen federal charges, including Healthcare Fraud, False Statements related to Healthcare Matters, Anti-Kickback Statute violations, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Money Laundering.”
“The evidence presented at trial established that Cruse exploited vulnerable pregnant women and young mothers by luring them into the company’s prenatal care coordination program with kickbacks in the form of free baby items such as car seats, pack ‘n plays, diapers, and baby wipes. Once enrolled, Cruse’s company used the women’s personal information to submit claims to Medicaid for services that were never provided. In reality participants often received only occasional deliveries of diapers and baby wipes or nothing at all. The evidence also demonstrated that Cruse used her fraud proceeds to finance a lavish lifestyle including luxury travel designer clothing and even an $18 000 custom diamond necklace and bracelet for her toddler.”
“The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20 2026 by Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper. Precious Cruse faces a mandatory minimum 2-year sentence on the aggravated identity theft charges and a maximum 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the healthcare fraud charges.”
“The Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Control Unit investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie F. Stewart and Kate M. Biebel prosecuted the case.”
