Florence Bikundi, $80M Medicaid Fraud, Maryland 2015

Florence Bikundi, 53, and her husband Michael D. Bikundi Sr., 63, of Mitchellville, Maryland, were sentenced to prison for their part in a massive Medicaid scam that defrauded the District of Columbia Medicaid program of over $80 million.

The couple, owners of Global Healthcare Inc., a home care agency, were found guilty in November 2015 of health care fraud, money laundering, and other charges. They were sentenced to 10 years and 7 years in prison, respectively, with three years of supervised release to follow.

The Bikundis used the stolen money to fund a lavish lifestyle, purchasing a million-dollar residence, five luxury vehicles worth over $400,000, and accumulating over $11 million in seized assets. In addition to their prison sentences, the couple was ordered to forfeit over $11 million in seized assets, including their residence and luxury vehicles.

U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips praised the investigation, saying, "The investigation of this case exposed a massive health care fraud that cheated the District of Columbia Medicaid program of more than $80 million that could have been spent on people who needed services."

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, and the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General. The case serves as a warning to other unscrupulous healthcare providers who aim to steal taxpayer money.

Florence Bikundi, who has been in custody since her arrest in February 2014, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Her husband, Michael D. Bikundi Sr., was sentenced to 7 years in prison. The couple was also ordered to pay $80,620,929 in restitution to D.C. Medicaid.

The case highlights the importance of protecting government health care programs from corruption and fraudulent activities. The sentences handed down to the Bikundis serve as a deterrent to others who would seek to exploit these programs for personal gain.

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