Former counselor pled guilty to theft, Medicaid fraud

NEWPORT — Former Newport mental health counselor Grady Clayton Hoaglund, 51, pleaded guilty to theft in the second degree and Medicaid false statement in Pend Oreille County Superior Court Thursday, Sept.

25. He was sentenced by Pend Oreille County Superior Court Judge Lech Radzimski to 30 days in jail in an agreed upon plea deal in which Hoaglund received a First-Time Offender waiver for individuals facing their first felony conviction.

Hoaglund’s sentence began immediately after sentencing and he was taken into custody by Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s deputies.

He was also sentenced to six months of community custody and financial legal financial obligations of $898.96.

Hoaglund was the operator of Aegis Counseling Services in Newport, before facing numerous felony charges in Pend Oreille County Superior Court Sept. 26, 2024.

The charges included second-degree rape, second-degree theft, two counts of indecent liberties and seven counts of Medicaid false statements. When he was initially charged Washington Department of Health officials suspended his credentials.

The charges were dismissed in the plea deal, which Radzimski found to be a fair and just resolution. One of his attorney’s, Carl Oreskovich, said Hoagland’s license would be surrendered.

Another stipulation of Hoaglund’s sentencing is that he is not to have any kind of contact with his former client who initially reported his alleged activity to Newport Police in 2022. The case was prosecuted by the Washington State Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Division.

SOPHIA MATTICE-ALDOUS IS A MURROW NEWS FELLOW WORKING DIRECTLY WITH NEWSROOMS AT THE NEWPORT MINER AND RANGE MEDIA THROUGH A PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY. HER REPORTING IS AVAILABLE FOR USE VIA CREATIVE COMMONS WITH CREDIT.