Alexander’s arrest, today, stems from an ongoing investigation by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Medicaid Fraud Unit of the Attorney General’s Office.
The first phase of this case started back in June of this year. That’s when both agencies executed multiple search warrants on Alexander’s homes. The concern was that Alexander was operating unlicensed assisted living facilities and neglecting the elderly and/or disabled adults living in her homes. Alexander and Tara Collins-Johnson were arrested in June on these grounds and both charged with multiple felonies.
The illegal assisted living homes were being operated in Marion Oaks.
During the execution of the search warrants, investigators found ten (10) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT Food Stamp) cards in Alexander’s purse and none of the cards belonged to her.
Investigators working with the United States Department of Agriculture, learned that Alexander used at least two cards on 35 different transactions to purchase more than $3,000 in various items, and Investigators say Alexander did not have permission to use the cards.
According to reports, Alexander “engaged in a scheme to defraud” by obtaining the EBT cards in the names of at least two victims without their knowledge.
One of the victims interviewed told investigators that he had never applied for Food Stamps.
Surveillance video that was obtained from Winn-Dixie shows Alexander using one of the EBT cars that she illegally obtained.
Alexander and Tara Collins-Johnson have also been accused of elderly abuse and stealing social security checks from elderly victims.
Alexander and Collins-Johnson wrote a letter to Jesse Jackson and Reverend Al Sharpton back in June asking for their help. Alexander and Collins-Johnson wrote, “We are being targeted because they are black business women.”
Despite the massive amount of evidence that has been gathered by authorities, both claimed they did nothing wrong.
Alexander has been arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail on felony fraud charges. Alexander’s bond amount is $5,000.
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