CHARLOTTE – A North Carolina woman has admitted defrauding Medicaid of millions for sham mental health services.

Linda Smoot Radeker of Shelby pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to three felony counts of fraud conspiracy and money laundering.

The 61-year-old licensed counselor admitted in court she got at least $6.1 million in fraudulent payments for services she never provided. Prosecutors said Radeker “rented out” her Medicaid provider number to a network of co-conspirators in Gaston and Cleveland counties. The co-conspirators then filed false reimbursement claims in the names of local children, keeping up to half of the fraudulent proceeds.

Court records show Radeker used her cut to buy a new Lincoln SUV, a recreational vehicle and $500,000 in jewelry. She faces up to 30 years in prison and millions in fines.