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Fraud & Abuse:

WHEELCHAIR FRAUD COSTS TEXAS SUPPLIERS THEIR OWN WHEELS

Published on Thu Jun 17, 2004

Brothers could face 10 years in prison. Two more Texas wheelchair suppliers are facing the music for their Medicare misdeeds -- and that includes giving up their fancy rides. Anietie Edoho-Ukwa, owner of Grace Medical Services in McKinney, TX, and Ukwa H. Edoho-Ukwa, owner of Genesys Medical Equipment in Frisco, TX, on June 7 pled guilty to one count of health care fraud each. The brothers admitted to submitting fraudulent claims for power wheelchairs between August 2002 and July 2003, according to Matthew D. Orwig, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas. Grace submitted 10 claims totaling $95,000 and Genesys submitted nine claims for $75,000, but the suppliers furnished no equipment or only scooters. The Ukwas each "agreed to forfeit a luxury automobile as well as a significant amount of money that was obtained through the fraudulent billings," says a release. When the brothers face sentencing in September, they each could receive up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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