The DOJ just announced that the owners of three Illinois home health care companies will serve prison time for their roles in a $6.7 million health care fraud scheme. Patricia Omorogbe and Felix Omorogbe (the “Omorogbes”) were sentenced to two years and 18 months, respectively. They were also collectively ordered to pay over $8 million in restitution.
From January 2009 to June 2018, the Omorogbes paid bribes and kickbacks to patient marketers for referrals of Medicare beneficiaries to their three home health care companies, A&Z Home Health Care, Dominion Home Health Care, and Alliance Home Health Care, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. According to court documents, Patricia Omorogbe, a registered nurse, signed fraudulent contracts with patient marketers on behalf of their health care companies. She also falsely represented that she performed assessments of patients while she was out of the country. Felix Omorogbe wrote checks to himself and agency companies, and the proceeds were used to pay kickbacks to marketers. The Omorogbes’ general practice was to admit, discharge, and re-certify patients, regardless of their medical conditions. The foregoing scheme caused fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare.
The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated this matter. The DOJ noted that the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, operating in 24 federal districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants for health care fraud since March 2007.
The attorneys at Chilivis Grubman represent clients of all types and sizes in connection to False Claims Act litigation and health care fraud investigations. If you need assistance with such a matter, please contact us today.