Two Houston-area Residents Convicted in Medicare Fraud Scheme Involving Fraudulent Claims of Hurricane Damage to Power Wheelchairs
Published: 2010-07-18 17:43:20By: Canada Views | April 16, 2010
A federal jury in Houston today convicted Helen Etinfoh, 50, and Paula Whitfield, 43, for their roles in a Medicare fraud conspiracy involving, among other things, fraudulent claims of hurricane damage to power wheelchairs, announced the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS).
After a week-long trial, the jury convicted Etinfoh of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and four counts of health care fraud.
The jury convicted Whitfield of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of health care fraud.
Each conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Following the jury verdict, Etinfoh was ordered to be detained pending sentencing by U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr.
According to evidence presented at trial, Etinfoh was the owner and operator of Luant & Odera Inc., a Houston-area durable medical equipment (DME) company doing business as Tonni Medical Equipment & Supplies.
Evidence presented at trial established that Whitfield was a recruiter for Luant who was paid kickbacks in exchange for providing the company with beneficiaries in whose names bills could be submitted toMedicare.
Evidence at trial showed that Etinfoh and other co-conspirators submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary DME, including power wheelchairs, wheelchair accessories and motorized scooters.
Many of these claims were submitted based on information supplied by Whitfield.
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