Houston Man Charged with Defrauding Healthcare Company of Nearly $3 Million
HOUSTON, TX – Joseph S. Antonucci, 41, of Houston, has been charged with defrauding his former employer, Patriot Managed Health Care Systems Inc., and causing a loss of more than $2.9 million.
According to the indictment, Antonucci was employed by Patriot as executive vice president and treasurer at the company’s Houston headquarters. In this position, Antonucci ran the daily operations of the company, including soliciting and retaining clients, supervising other employees and controlling the company’s bank accounts.
From at least January 2007 through September 2012, Antonucci allegedly defrauded Patriot by embezzling approximately $2.9 million from the company’s bank accounts. The indictment alleges Antonucci made unauthorized withdrawals and transfers from Patriot’s bank accounts using a corporate debit card and wrote checks from these accounts to himself.
Antonucci allegedly executed the scheme by creating false financial documents. The indictment alleges these documents misrepresented key accounting figures for the company and overstated the company’s net worth while concealing Antonucci’s embezzlement. Antonucci allegedly sent these false documents via email to the managing partner of the investment fund that owned Patriot.
Antonucci is charged with 15 counts of wire fraud and five counts of engaging in a monetary transaction with the proceeds of specified unlawful activity. If convicted, Antonucci faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count and a $250,000 maximum fine or twice the pecuniary gain or loss.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Pearson.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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