06/25/2026

Fargo woman accused of using professionals’ identities in Minnesota Medicaid fraud case

Valley News Live

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Valley News Live) - A Fargo, North Dakota, woman accused of using fake credentials and the identities of licensed professionals to provide counseling services in Minnesota is among seven providers charged in a Medicaid fraud crackdown, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced.

Christine Marie Pryor was charged in Clay County District Court with six theft offenses and six identity theft offenses. Prosecutors allege she defrauded Minnesota’s Medicaid program of $156,765.51 and received $108,356.09 of those funds in wages.

According to the court documents, Pryor claimed to provide psychotherapy and alcohol and drug counseling services to Medicaid recipients despite having no license or credentials to do so. Prosecutors allege she used the credentials and identities of three licensed professionals without their knowledge while claiming to provide Medicaid-funded services to 169 clients.

Court documents show Pryor worked at Lakeland Mental Health Center and The Lotus Center, both in Moorhead, while using other providers’ license numbers and names. Investigators also allege she submitted a fraudulent Capella University diploma and fraudulent transcripts to gain employment.