An Arizona couple has been convicted and sentenced after prosecutors say they stole more than $12 million from the state Medicaid program, spent the proceeds on luxury purchases, and left vulnerable patients at risk.
Thvoughn Lynden Curry, 34, and Alexis Daneen Curry, 34, of New River, Arizona, were sentenced this week for their roles in a scheme to defraud the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, known as AHCCCS. A federal judge imposed long prison terms and ordered restitution after a four-day bench trial found the pair guilty of conspiracy, health care fraud, and transactional money laundering. The case centers on 1 Family Clinic, LLC, an outpatient behavioral health operation prosecutors say was a front for billing fraud.
The court found that the Currys engineered a fraudulent provider application so the clinic could enroll with AHCCCS and bill for services it never provided. Once approved, prosecutors say the clinic submitted repetitive, nearly identical claims between Feb. 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023, often billing many more hours per patient than the clinic was open or able to deliver. Investigators identified a pattern of billing the American Indian Health Plan and claiming an average of more than 12 hours of service per member per day.
The trial evidence included medical records and billing data that prosecutors say show patients were frequently unattended and some experienced life-threatening overdoses under the clinic’s care. The government argues the Currys exploited low-income, vulnerable Arizonans in need of substance abuse treatment while diverting funds to enrich themselves. As a result, AHCCCS paid the clinic more than $12 million for services the government says were not provided.
Sentences handed down this week included 88 months in prison for Thvoughn Curry and 70 months for Alexis Curry, followed by three years of supervised release and restitution of over $12 million payable to AHCCCS. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Corbet and Lindsay Short in the District of Arizona, and IRS Criminal Investigation handled substantial investigative work with assistance from the Mesa Police Department and the AHCCCS Office of Inspector General.
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine issued a forceful statement about the outcome: “The President tasked us to eliminate fraud and recoup every taxpayer dollar possible, and we’ve delivered in this case, bringing the Currys to justice for stealing millions from the government,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Beyond their own fraud, the Currys also preyed upon Arizonans fighting deadly addictions, placing them in imminent danger, with some victims overdosing on illicit drugs under 1 Family Clinic’s care. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will use every legal means available to track down and prosecute fraudsters and protect vulnerable citizens.”
IRS-CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown stressed the damage to public programs and the intent to hold abusers accountable: “Healthcare fraud is a direct attack on our community’s safety net,” said IRS-CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown. “The Currys diverted millions from Arizona’s Medicaid program to line their own pockets, depleting vital resources from those who depend on these services. These sentences reflect the seriousness of that harm and reinforce IRS-CI commitment to protecting the integrity of taxpayer funded healthcare programs. Those who abuse these systems and violate the public’s trust can expect to be held accountable.”
Roberta Harrison, Interim Director of AHCCCS, highlighted the human toll: “Fraud on this scale is not just a financial crime, it directly harms the vulnerable populations AHCCCS exists to serve,” said Roberta Harrison, Interim Director of AHCCCS. “This sentencing reflects the strength of our partnerships with law enforcement and underscores our commitment to aggressively pursuing those who attempt to misuse public funds.”
Mesa Police Chief Dan Butler pointed to interagency cooperation as key to the result: “The successful conviction and six-year prison sentence in this case are the direct result of outstanding collaboration between our law enforcement partners,” said Mesa Police Chief Dan Butler. “Complex investigations often extend beyond the jurisdiction of a single agency, and this case highlights the importance of sharing resources, information, and expertise. We appreciate the efforts of every investigator, prosecutor, and agency involved in bringing this case to a successful conclusion and ensuring justice was served.”
Prosecutors say the Currys spent much of the fraud proceeds on real estate and luxury vehicles, including a 2019 Lamborghini Urus purchased for more than $300,000. The government tied those purchases directly to the $12 million in payments AHCCCS made to 1 Family Clinic during the scheme. Authorities say the couple concealed Thvoughn Curry’s ownership and controlling role on the clinic application even though he had an outstanding warrant for state felony fraud at the time.
Federal officials also noted broader enforcement priorities and institutional changes aimed at tackling similar crimes. The Department of Justice has announced a National Fraud Enforcement Division to focus on theft and misuse of taxpayer funds, and current federal efforts align with a task force charged with eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse across benefit programs. The Curry case is presented by authorities as an example of coordinated investigative work to protect public funds and vulnerable patients.
