A former Most Wanted Fugitive has admitted to defrauding Medicare and Medicaid out of $10 million in a brazen scheme that spanned over a decade.
Etienne Allonce, 55, the former co-owner of Medical Solutions Management, Inc. (MSM), a medical equipment company in Hicksville, New York, pleaded guilty to health care fraud at the federal courthouse in Central Islip.
Allonce, who was placed on the Most Wanted List of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), had fled the United States in September 2007, just hours before federal agents arrested his wife, Helen Michel.
Michel was tried and convicted by a jury in August 2012 and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in April 2013, ordered to forfeit $1.3 million that had been seized by the government.
Allonce faces up to 10 years in prison, as well as restitution and a fine, when sentenced.
“With today’s guilty plea, Allonce will now pay the price for defrauding American taxpayers in order to benefit himself,” stated United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Charles P. Kelly, Burton T. Ryan, Jr. and Madeline O’Connor are in charge of the prosecution.
The former Most Wanted Fugitive is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Joseph F. Bianco.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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