Elaine Davis, Pramela Ganji, M.D., Godwin Ogboukiri, M.D., et al., Medicare Fraud, Louisiana 2023
New Orleans, LA - In a shocking display of greed and deceit, 11 individuals have been charged with Medicare fraud, bilking the program out of nearly $110 million in false claims.
The indictment, unsealed on [date], alleges that the defendants carried out five separate schemes, operating 14 companies in Louisiana, California, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The schemes centered on billing Medicare for home health care services, psychological testing services, durable medical equipment, and psychotherapy services - services and equipment that were not medically needed and in many instances were not provided.
Among those charged are two doctors, Dr. Pramela Ganji and Dr. Godwin Ogboukiri, who allegedly worked with Elaine Davis in a home health care fraud scheme carried out through Christian Home Health Care, Inc. (Christian). The indictment alleges that the defendants falsely claimed that thousands of Medicare recipients in and around New Orleans were in need of home health care services.
From 2007 through 2015, Christian submitted more than $33.2 million in claims for home health care services to Medicare, the vast majority of which were fraudulent. The indictment alleges that the defendants caused these claims to be submitted to Medicare, resulting in a loss of over $33.2 million to the program.
Another scheme, operated by Rodney Hesson, Psy.D., and Gertrude Parker, allegedly submitted $25 million in claims for psychological testing services that were not medically needed or in some instances not provided. The indictment alleges that Hesson and Parker caused these companies to bill Medicare for psychological testing services through their companies, Nursing Home Psychological Service (NHPS) and Psychological Care Services (PCS).
The charges are part of a nationwide sweep led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, resulting in charges against 243 individuals, including 46 doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $712 million in false billings.
The indictment was returned by grand juries sitting in the Eastern District of Louisiana and charges the defendants with various crimes, including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and making false statements related to health care matters.
The indictment alleges that the defendants' actions caused significant harm to the Medicare program and the American people. The indictment seeks the forfeiture of assets, including cash, property, and other items, obtained as a result of the alleged crimes.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana and is the result of an investigation by the FBI's New Orleans Field Office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General's (HHS-OIG) Dallas Regional Office.
Defendant Information:
- Elaine Davis: Charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and making false statements related to health care matters.
- Pramela Ganji, M.D.: Charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and making false statements related to health care matters.
- Godwin Ogboukiri, M.D.: Charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and making false statements related to health care matters.
- Rodney Hesson, Psy.D.: Charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and making false statements related to health care matters.
- Gertrude Parker: Charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and making false statements related to health care matters.
Sentence or Outcome: The defendants are currently in custody pending arraignment and trial.
City and State: New Orleans, LA
Exact Date: [date]
Dollar Amounts: $110 million in false claims, $33.2 million in home health care services, $25 million in psychological testing services
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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