State briefs 3/19/15

Clerk fired amid Ferguson remarks

UPLANDS PARK, Mo. -- A local government employee for the village of Uplands Park has been fired amid comments he made in a TV interview blaming police for the shooting of two officers in Ferguson. The town's board of trustees met Tuesday night in a closed session to discuss the status of clerk John Muhammad. Village attorney Richard Magee said afterward Muhammad was fired for misrepresenting his job. Muhammad referred to himself as city manager and city administrator of the community in television interviews. Muhammed had said the March 12 shooting was a "setup between members of the police fraternity." Jeffrey L. Williams faces several felony charges in connection with the nonfatal shooting.

State to get $2.4M in Medicaid settlement

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster says the state will get more than $2.4 million from a Medicaid fraud settlement. Koster on Wednesday announced the settlement with offshoots of APS Healthcare and Innovative Resource Group over claims the companies submitted false Medicaid claims. The companies will pay the state and federal government $5 million. APS contracted with Missouri from 2008 to 2010 to provide services for the state's chronic care and administrative services programs. Koster claims the companies submitted false claims for Medicaid payments.

Suspect killed in home invasion

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Joplin police say a fatal shooting during a home invasion was self-defense. Police say 32-year-old Michael Dean of rural Joplin died early Monday at a house in Joplin. Dean was shot by a person who was staying at the home. The guest's name has not been released.

-- From wire reports