Arkansas Woman Convicted of Medicaid Fraud

Arkansas AG - News Releases

Filed March 18th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the conviction of Jacqueline Small for Medicaid fraud. Small was sentenced to probation, a fine, and restitution for improperly billing Medicaid for services never provided. This action highlights the state's commitment to combating healthcare fraud.

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What changed

The Arkansas Attorney General's office has secured a conviction against Jacqueline Small of Rector for one count of Medicaid fraud, a Class B felony. Small was sentenced to five years of probation, a $500 fine plus court fees, and ordered to pay $7,427.38 in restitution for billing Medicaid for services she did not render. This case underscores the state's ongoing efforts to address and prosecute Medicaid fraud.

This enforcement action serves as a reminder to healthcare providers in Arkansas to ensure accurate billing practices and to refrain from submitting fraudulent claims. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties, including probation, fines, and restitution, as demonstrated by this case. The Attorney General's office emphasizes its continued focus on holding individuals accountable for abusing the Medicaid system.

What to do next

Review billing practices to ensure compliance with Medicaid regulations.
Verify that all billed services were actually provided.
Report any suspected Medicaid fraud to the appropriate authorities.

Penalties

Five-year term of probation, a $500 fine plus court fees, and restitution totaling $7,427.38.

Source document (simplified)

Attorney General Griffin Secures Conviction of Rector Woman for Medicaid Fraud

March 18, 2026

Griffin: ‘Addressing Medicaid fraud in Arkansas remains a top priority, and my office will continue working to hold those who abuse the system accountable’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing the conviction of Jacqueline Small, 37, of Rector, on one count of Medicaid fraud, a Class B felony:

“Jacqueline Small pled guilty to felony Medicaid fraud last week. She was sentenced to a five-year term of probation, a $500 fine plus court fees, and restitution totaling $7,427.38. She improperly billed Medicaid for the services she never provided.

“Addressing Medicaid fraud in Arkansas remains a top priority, and my office will continue working to hold those who abuse the system accountable. I want to applaud the exceptional work done on this case by Special Agent Matthew Edwards and Senior Assistant Attorney General Leigh Patterson. I am also grateful for the assistance of Sixth Judicial District Prosecutor Will Jones in this case.”

The Arkansas MFCU receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant totaling $4,781,516 for the Federal fiscal year 2026, of which $3,586,140 is federally funded. The remaining 25%, totaling $1,195,376 for the State fiscal year 2026, is funded by Arkansas General Revenue.

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About Attorney General Tim Griffin

Tim Griffin was sworn in as the 57th Attorney General of Arkansas on January 10, 2023, having previously served as the state’s 20th Lieutenant Governor from 2015-2023. From 2011-2015, Griffin served as the 24th representative of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District, where he served on the House Committee on Ways and Means, House Armed Services Committee, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Ethics and House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as a Deputy Whip for the Majority.

Griffin is currently an officer in the Arkansas Army National Guard and holds the rank of colonel. Griffin served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps for more than 28 years. In 2005, Griffin was mobilized to active duty as an Army prosecutor at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and served with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Mosul, Iraq.

His previous assignments include serving as the Commander of the 2d Legal Operations Detachment in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Commander of the 134th Legal Operations Detachment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and as a Senior Legislative Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Pentagon. Griffin earned a master’s degree in strategic studies as a Distinguished Honor Graduate from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

Griffin also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush; Special Assistant to Assistant Attorney General Michael Chertoff, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice; Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Arkansas; Senior Investigative Counsel, Government Reform and Oversight Committee, U.S. House of Representatives; and Associate Independent Counsel, Office of Independent Counsel David M. Barrett, In re: HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros.

Griffin is a graduate of Magnolia High School, Hendrix College in Conway, and Tulane Law School in New Orleans. He attended graduate school at Oxford University. He is admitted to practice law in Arkansas (active) and Louisiana (inactive). Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife, Elizabeth, a Camden native, and their three children.

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