Chalmette woman arrested by Louisiana Bureau of Investigation agents for Medicaid Recipient Fraud

Agents with Attorney General Liz Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested a Chalmette woman for Medicaid Recipient Fraud on May 7, 2025.

46-year-old Melissa Araujo, of Livingston Avenue in Chalmette, was arrested for:

• L.R.S. 14:70.9 Government Benefits Fraud  

On September 23, 2024, Special Agents assigned to the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation received a complaint from the Louisiana Department of Health in reference to an individual identified as Melissa Araujo allegedly committing Medicaid Recipient Fraud. The complaint alleged that Melissa Araujo misrepresented her income in order to receive Medicaid benefits.

After conducting an extensive criminal investigation into the complaint and learning that Araujo did unlawfully receive Medicaid benefits, Special Agents secured an arrest warrant for violation of Louisiana law, prohibited acts as defined by L.R.S. 14:70.9 Government Benefits Fraud.

On May 7, 2025, Araujo was placed under arrest and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison without incident. 

Her bond information is unknown at this time.

Our investigation continues.

Original source can be found here.