Federal authorities have charged two individuals in separate cases related to alleged fraud involving Colorado Medicaid’s non-emergent medical transportation (NEMT) program. Ashley Marie Stevens, 40, of Mesa County, and Wesam Yassin, 42, of Douglas County, face multiple charges including wire fraud, health care fraud, and money laundering.
According to the indictments, Stevens operated under the business name Armistead Twin Rides, LLC., billing Colorado Medicaid for more than one million dollars between July 2022 and February 2023. The indictment alleges that over $400,000 was billed for rides for herself and family members without corresponding medical appointments. Additionally, Stevens is accused of billing more than $150,000 for rides for four beneficiaries that either did not occur or were unrelated to any medical provider or service. The indictment further claims that over $450,000 was billed for rides exceeding 400 miles per patient per day; only a few of these trips matched legitimate medical appointments or services. The proceeds from this scheme were allegedly used for personal expenses such as travel and the purchase of a luxury vehicle.
Yassin is accused of billing approximately $3.3 million to Colorado Medicaid through his business Sama Limo from March 2022 to October 2023. The indictment details an instance where about $283,000 was billed for 64 rides provided to a beneficiary—of which roughly $165,000 represented charges after the beneficiary’s death. The remaining rides reportedly do not correspond with any documented medical appointments in Colorado. Yassin also allegedly billed hundreds of thousands of dollars for rides that beneficiaries claim never occurred. Proceeds from this scheme are said to have been used to purchase a home, furnishings, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and cosmetic surgery.
“The charges contained in the indictments are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” according to officials.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Rebecca Weber—Colorado First Assistant Attorney General and Director of the Medicaid Fraud Abuse & Neglect Unit—is prosecuting both cases as Special Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Colorado.
Funding for the Colorado Medicaid Fraud Abuse and Neglect Unit comes primarily from federal sources: it receives three-quarters of its budget through a grant totaling over $4 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during fiscal year 2026; state funds make up the remaining quarter at approximately $1.34 million.
Case numbers are Stevens – 25-CR-0344-PAB; Yassin – 26-CR-34-PAB.
