A Marrero woman could face up to 270 years in prison and more than $7 million in fines after she was convicted in federal court Wednesday along with two other New Orleans women of Medicaid fraud.

A jury found Ernestine Girod, 44, guilty of one count of conspiracy, 25 counts of health care fraud and three counts of false statements to federal authorities, according to U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's office.

Una Favorite Brown, 53, of New Orleans also was convicted of one count of conspiracy, 24 counts of health care fraud and three counts of false statements to federal agents. She faces up to 120 years in prison and fines of $3.5 million.

Melinda Langley, 48, of New Orleans was convicted of one count of conspiracy and 10 counts of health care fraud. Although she was found not guilty on three counts of health care fraud, she still faces a maximum sentence of 105 years in prison and $2.7 million in fines.

The convictions are related to the ongoing investigation into "A New Beginning of New Orleans, Inc." a Medicaid provider in Harvey. Brown and Langley worked for the company, while Girod was the mother of Medicaid recipients who allegedly were serviced by the business. Authorities said the employees falsified time sheets and other documents to get the program to pay for services that weren't provided.

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