Lexington Man Convicted in $2.5M Healthcare Fraud Scheme Tied to Sober Home

Dashawn Dawkins found guilty of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud for his role in kickback scheme at Serenity Keepers sober living facility.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled medical bill or insurance claim form, capturing the harsh, gritty details of the object to conceptually represent the healthcare fraud uncovered in this investigation.A recent federal investigation exposed a multimillion-dollar healthcare fraud scheme tied to a local sober living home, underscoring the need for greater oversight in the addiction treatment industry.Lexington Today

A 34-year-old Lexington man named Dashawn Dawkins has been convicted by a federal jury for his involvement in a wide-ranging healthcare fraud and kickback scheme connected to a local sober living home called Serenity Keepers. Dawkins received $62,750 in illegal kickbacks in exchange for ordering unnecessary urine drug tests that ultimately cost Kentucky Medicaid and Medicare over $2.5 million.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing problem of healthcare fraud, particularly in the addiction treatment industry, where unscrupulous providers exploit vulnerable patients and bilk government insurance programs out of millions. It also raises concerns about oversight and accountability in the sober living home sector, which has faced increased scrutiny in recent years.

The details

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Dawkins and three co-defendants were originally indicted in November 2024 on charges including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and conspiracy to receive kickbacks. Evidence showed that Serenity Keepers, the sober living home Dawkins was affiliated with, engaged in widespread fraud, including the misuse of urine drug testing and billing for services that were never provided. Investigators found that the facility routinely billed Medicaid for six hours of peer support services per patient per day, regardless of whether any care was actually delivered.

  • Dawkins and three others were originally indicted in November 2024.
  • Dawkins was found guilty by a federal jury on April 2, 2026.
  • Dawkins is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9, 2026.

The players

Dashawn Dawkins

A 34-year-old Lexington man who was convicted of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud for his role in a kickback scheme at a local sober living home.

Serenity Keepers

A Fayette County-based sober living home that claimed to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment services but instead engaged in widespread healthcare fraud.

Delores Jordan

The owner of Serenity Keepers, who previously pleaded guilty to her role in the kickback scheme.

Jerome Davis

The boyfriend of Delores Jordan, who also previously pleaded guilty to his role in the kickback scheme.

Lily Bell

A co-defendant who admitted to paying kickbacks and facilitating the use of a stolen identification, pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft.

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What’s next

Dawkins is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9, 2026 and faces up to 10 years in prison.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for stronger oversight and accountability in the sober living home industry, as well as the ongoing challenge of combating healthcare fraud that targets vulnerable populations and government insurance programs.