TFTC: A Bitcoin Podcast #709: Inside Maine's Medicaid Fraud Machine with Steve Robinson
Jan 28, 2026
Steve Robinson, an investigative reporter who uses public records and data sleuthing, walks through his year-long probe of massive Medicaid overbilling in Maine. He discusses political ties, no-bid contracts, how home health programs are easy to exploit, alleged overseas funding links, and tools and tactics used to uncover hidden documents.
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Politically Connected NGOs Captured Funding
- Politically connected migrant NGOs in Maine tapped Medicaid and no-bid contracts to expand influence.
- Gateway Community Services used taxpayer funds to register voters and funnel resources while its CEO pursued foreign ambitions.
Door‑To‑Door Enrollment Became Voter Outreach
- CHOW workers knocked on doors in migrant neighborhoods to sign people up for Medicaid and SNAP.
- Federal law required voter registration assistance when enrolling people in federally funded benefits, creating a pathway for ballot influence.
Design Of Medicaid Creates Fraud Niches
- Medicaid is decentralized and creates 57 different state program rules that open varied fraud niches.
- Home health care is especially vulnerable because services are distributed and hard to audit in person.