An Annapolis drug treatment clinic and its former owner pleaded guilty this week to defrauding Medicaid of more than $225,000.

David W. French, 32, of Murray Avenue, pleaded guilty in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court to conspiring to commit Medicaid fraud and conspiracy to commit felony theft.

His company, Health Management Enterprises Inc., pleaded guilty to one count each of felony Medicaid fraud and theft. The company, which closed last year, was at 211 Chinquapin Round Road.

HME offered addiction counseling in Anne Arundel and Howard counties and Baltimore. Between 1993 and 1996 at French's direction, it provided group counseling, for which federal programs paid $13 a session, but billed for individual counseling, for which it was paid $40 a session, according to Attorney General J. Joseph Curran. A former employee tipped off officials.

Circuit Judge Clayton R. Greene Jr. set sentencing for Feb. 10.

Pub Date: 11/26/98