A federal grand jury in Oregon has issued a superseding indictment against Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont, 67, and her daughter Yolandita Marie Andre, 31, both from Tigard. The indictment includes 12 counts of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and forced labor.
Valmont and Andre are accused of coercing three individuals, including a minor, to work for little or no pay at Velida’s Home Care, an adult foster care facility they operated. According to court documents, the two allegedly recruited the victims from Haiti with promises of good living conditions and stable employment. Upon arrival in September 2023, the victims were compelled to work long hours under threats of harm. Valmont is alleged to have taken their immigration documents and controlled many aspects of their daily lives.
The investigation began after the minor victim disclosed their situation to a medical professional in summer 2024. Authorities from the Oregon Department of Justice then initiated an inquiry.
Prosecutors allege that Valmont and Andre requested Medicaid “exceptional payments” by falsely claiming they needed extra funds for employee wages related to residents with exceptional care needs. Instead of paying the victims appropriately, they kept most of the money received from Medicaid and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). The indictment also accuses Andre of submitting false claims stating she was Valmont’s caregiver during times when she was not present or when Valmont was working elsewhere. Additionally, Valmont is alleged to have claimed disability status while also presenting herself as a caregiver.
Each count of forced labor and conspiracy to commit health care fraud carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison; making false statements related to health care fraud could result in up to five years per count if convicted. Forced labor convictions require mandatory restitution.
The FBI led the investigation with help from Tigard Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson are prosecuting.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about human trafficking to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org for more resources on this issue. Additional details about federal efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
“An indictment is only an accusation of a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
