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Michigan Podiatrist Convicted of $1.8 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A jury has convicted a Michigan man of devising and executing a $1.8 million scheme to defraud Medicare by billing for services under another doctor’s name after the program revoked his privileges.
At the center of the scheme is Dr. Kenneth Mitchell, 60, of Oakland County, Michigan. The defendant was found guilty of his role in the crime that occurred in 2015.
According to court documents, Mitchell was revoked from participating in the Medicare program in January 2015. In response, he convinced his then-partner to enroll in Medicare and assist in opening a new clinic called Urban Health Care Group PLLC.
Under the guise of his partner’s name, Mitchell continued to bill Medicare for services, totaling $1.8 million. The scheme continued until law enforcement discovered it and Medicare suspended payments to Urban Health Care Group PLLC.
As investigators dug deeper, Mitchell submitted false statements to Medicare, attempting to undermine the probe and secure the release of Medicare funds in his bank account.
In total, Dr. Mitchell was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud; three counts of health care fraud; one count of falsification of records in a federal investigation; and one count of aggravated identity theft.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on January 26, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of imprisonment of 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, 10 years for health care fraud, 20 years for falsification of records, and two years for aggravated identity theft.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr.; Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Darren Bartnik of the Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services; and Special Agent in Charge Angie Salazar of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, made the announcement.
The Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case, while Kathleen Cooperstein and Shankar Ramamurthy of the Justice Department’s Fraud Section will prosecute the case.
If you believe you may have been treated by a doctor who billed improperly for services, contact the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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