Office Overview | Victim Services | Press Room | Community Resources | What's New | Careers | Juvenile Justice | Contact

A family therapist who submitted false billing invoices to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to collect funds for services that she never provided has been charged with theft, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Priscilla Davis, 39, of Dolton, was arrested Thursday morning and charged with one count of Theft of Government Property and Attempted Theft of Government Property.  Davis faces a maximum prison sentence of up to 7 years if convicted.

According to prosecutors, Davis worked at Ascend, Inc., as a therapist providing counseling services to individuals involved in adoption and guardianship relationships. The agency billed D.C.F.S. for payment for the services it provided.

Davis was the assigned therapist providing counseling services to a young girl who had been adopted beginning in March of 2008 until June the following year.  According to investigators, Davis continued billing DCFS for another year even though she was no longer providing services.

Authorities became suspicious when they discovered she had submitted bills for therapy sessions that occurred in the client’s home when in actuality the client had been hospitalized at a secure facility. Investigators also discovered that Davis and the client had ended their relationship one year ago and that she had been submitting fraudulent bills.

In total, investigators believe that Davis fraudulently billed a total of $9,373 for sessions that never occurred.

The defendant appeared in court this afternoon where her bail was set at $90,000 by Cook County Circuit Court Judge Peggy Chiampas.  Her case was continued to Aug. 18.

The public is reminded that charging documents contain allegations that are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to fair trial at which the state has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

- Back -