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Former Director of Tuscola County Peer Center Pleads Guilty to Embezzling from Center

LANSING – Yesterday, Tanya Hobson, 45, of Kingston, pled guilty to one count of Embezzlement-Agent or Trustee – $200 or more but less than $1,000, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. As part of the plea agreement, Hobson, who was charged in February, will pay $4,054.64 in restitution.

Hobson served as the director of the Tuscola County Peer Center from May to December 2023. The Peer Center, affiliated with the Tuscola Behavioral Health Systems, receives much of its funding from Medicaid and assists members receiving mental health services with self-advocacy skills, providing self-help and mutual support services.

As director, Hobson was responsible for scheduling outings, collecting and monitoring the mail, obtaining grants, picking up supplies and paying bills.  During her time as director, Hobson embezzled over $1,000 of the Center’s funds for personal use.

“Embezzling Medicaid funds can have a direct impact on the people who rely on the program for essential health care,” Nessel said. “My office will continue investigating allegations of fraud and holding those who steal these funds accountable.”

Hobson will be sentenced by Judge Jason Eric Bitzer of the 71 B Judicial District Court in Caro on April 22 at 1 p.m.

The Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division (HCFD) handled this case for the Department. The HCFD is the federally certified Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for Michigan, and it receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $5,703,460 for the fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25% percent, totaling $1,901,152, is funded by the State of Michigan.

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