Meredith responds to Medicaid fraud allegations: The case is closed
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Republican State Senator Wesley Meredith said Tuesday morning that the Department of Social Services has completed and closed an investigation into alleged welfare fraud by Meredith.
The senator later dodged questions regarding specifics about the investigation when ABC11 caught up with him in Downtown Fayetteville.
Meredith first addressed the investigation during a regularly scheduled appearance on WFNC's Good Morning Fayetteville with Goldy and Jim show Tuesday morning.
"It's done with no further action necessary," he said. "I want to repeat that. The case has been thoroughly investigated and the case is closed with no further action necessary."
Exactly one week ago, Billy Richardson, the Fayetteville attorney who is Meredith's Democratic challenger for the 19th District Senate seat, released financial and public assistance documents showing Meredith's family utilized Medicaid in the late-1990s when the senator made six-figure range annual salaries.
Meredith's now ex-wife, Elizabeth Longbottom Meredith, subsequently released a statement saying she and Wesley Meredith went to Cumberland County Social Services and applied for Medicaid together.
Wesley Meredith, who categorized the document release as a "personal attack," pointed out Tuesday that his name never appeared on the documents Richardson provided to DSS.
"It is increasingly obvious to me that this is a desperate, desperate attempt by Billy Richardson to score political points and close the gap in a race he's losing by double digits," Meredith said on the radio show.
Cumberland Democrats and Republicans had called on Meredith to immediately respond to the allegations. Meredith told WFNC's host that he took the week to review the two-decade-old documents and allowed DSS to complete their investigation before responding.
"I want to thank them for what they've done in expediting this investigation and all their hard work," said Meredith. "So thank you Department of Social Services."
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
Meredith was never asked during the radio interview nor did he deny having involvement in the Medicaid situation. It's unclear how the case was closed -- what was founded or unfounded, or whether a settlement was involved.
On Tuesday afternoon, Meredith declined to comment further about the case when contacted by ABC11 via personal email. ABC11 caught up with Meredith in Downtown Fayetteville as he was attending a function Tuesday evening.
His only response to questions regarding his involvement or whether the case was closed through a settlement was "The case is closed, okay?"
Neither state nor county officials would confirm they were done investigating Meredith's case, citing state law as it relates to personal information. Last week, they referred media to state guidelines outlining proven Medicaid fraud as a civil matter that can be resolved through a number of options, including voluntary repayment or property liens.
Following Meredith's radio interview, members of the liberal group Progress NC, delivered a 4,000 signature petition to Meredith's Fayetteville landscaping business.
"We are basically saying 'Come clean, tell the truth,'" said Gerrick Brenner, the group's Executive Director.
"I'm in his district and I want to know the truth," added Nancy Miller Martin.
About a dozen people were involved. A handful of them were met at the door by Meredith's business manager, Johnnie Lown.
"It's allegations that are unfounded," said Lown. "And I don't know what more he can do besides tell you 'My name is not on this. I didn't do this. They looked into it.' That's enough."
"You can leave those [petitions] at the gate if you want," he told the group.
Richardson is expected to appear on WFNC Wednesday morning to respond to Meredith. Meredith called on Richardson to say he was wrong about the allegations following a completed investigation, but in part of a statement issued Tuesday, Richardson goes back to the unanswered questions, saying Meredith has yet to respond directly to his family's use of welfare funds.
"What concerns me is voters still don't know the truth," said Richardson. "We have someone who may have worked the system to help himself, while slashing funds for working families who need help."
