Deputy Attorney General III

Position InformationSection: Medicaid Fraud Control Section/Criminal Law DivisionClass: Deputy Attorney General IIILocation: HarrisburgTelework: This position will report to the headquartered location a minimum of 2 days per week. You may have the opportunity to telework the remainder of the week, if desired and based on business need. Position Type: Full-time, Non-civil service, Non-unionWork Hours: 8: 30 – 5: 00Salary Range: Starting salary of $85,966Basic FunctionWhite-collar corporate financial fraud investigations and in-depth investigations of neglect in nursing homes and other care facilities are the primary focus of the Medicaid Fraud Control Section (MFCS).

This section is responsible for protecting the welfare of the most vulnerable members of our Commonwealth and acts as a watchdog of the Medicaid program, which pays for their medical coverage. The MFCS primarily investigates and prosecutes two types of cases: Medicaid Fraud and Neglect of a Care-Dependent Person. Medicaid Fraud charges are brought against providers (as opposed to beneficiaries) who scam the program and cheat the taxpayers out of funds intended to provide healthcare to indigent Pennsylvanians. Examples of such providers include nursing homes, hospitals, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, ambulance and transportation companies, and home care workers.

These cases are complex, white-collar criminal investigations, often involving millions of dollars, and MFCS attorneys will frequently utilize the Statewide Investigating Grand Jury to subpoena documents and question witnesses to dismantle elaborate criminal operations. The MFCS regularly combats the opioid epidemic by pursuing physicians who unnecessarily prescribe and then divert excessive amounts of controlled substances for profit. The MFCS also investigates and prosecutes caregivers who neglect, abuse, and/or exploit care-dependent people. For this position, trial skills are a must as neglect cases regularly involve charges of murder, manslaughter, and/or aggravated assault. Recent MFCS neglect cases include:

a nurse and a mother who neglected a disabled child, causing severe malnutrition and multiple hospitalizations; two personal care home managers who recklessly failed to prevent sexual abuse in a dementia unit; a nursing home manager who understaffed his facility and endangered the residents; and a nurse who injured and killed residents by intentionally over-medicating them. Attorneys in this section must be comfortable working with doctors, medical examiners, nurses, and other health professionals to understand the medical aspects of the case and present expert testimony.

In all cases handled by the MFCS, Deputy Attorneys General are actively involved in every step of the investigation and prosecution. Our attorneys collaborate with a team of Special Agents throughout the investigation. The case attorney advises on legal issues, drafts and approves search warrants, directs grand jury proceedings, conducts proffers, approves wiretaps, and ultimately makes charging decisions. If charges are filed, the attorney is responsible for legal proceedings from bail recommendations to trial and sentencing. In some investigations, our attorneys prosecute cases jointly with federal authorities through cross-designation with the United States Attorney’s Office.

Training and travel are regular opportunities within the MFCS. There may be occasions where this position will engage in outreach with our law enforcement and healthcare industry partners. As a member of the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU), MFCS staff regularly partner with other Medicaid Fraud Control Units from across the country on nationwide investigations, settlements, and prosecutions. There are also national NAMFCU training opportunities that allow MFCS attorneys to master the skills needed in this specialized area of the law and network with staff in other state Medicaid Fraud Control Units.

A Deputy Attorney General III (DAG III) works independently on most matters except in extraordinary cases.

Examples Of DutiesProvides legal advice and guidance during the criminal investigative stageReviews and approves search warrants and criminal complaints for legal sufficiency Drafts criminal informations and prepares discovery for court casesConducts legal research in connection with motions and preparation for trialProsecutes cases before statewide investigating grand juries, and in county Courts of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Judges across PennsylvaniaMay supervise junior attorneysMay supervise clerical staffEngages in outreach efforts with law enforcement agencies and healthcare industry partnersAnswers routine correspondencePerforms additional and related work as requiredMinimum Experience And TrainingGraduation from an accredited school of law, admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and a minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in professional legal workHealth BenefitsThis position qualifies you for the Commonwealth's benefits package which includes medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage.

Medical coverage is available on your first day of employment! Prescription is also available on your first day, for an additional cost for the first 90 days of employment. Dental and vision are available after 90 days of employment as well. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are available to all employees, regardless of enrollment in our benefits. Paid Time OffOAG employees receive 12 paid holidays each calendar year, along with earning paid vacation time and sick leave each pay period. RetirementFor new employees, the State Employees' Retirement System offers various options for enrollment into our retirement plans.

You will receive specific information on these options shortly after you begin employment. To learn more about the benefits available to OAG employees, please review the Summary of Employee Benefits. 01What is your highest level of education?Some High SchoolHigh School or GEDSome CollegeTechnical CollegeAssociate's DegreeBachelor's DegreeMaster's DegreeDoctorate02What year did you obtain your JD?03Have you been admitted to the PA Bar?YesNo04How many years of experience in professional legal work do you have?NoneLess than 3 Years3-6 Years6-10 Years10+ Years Required Question