HOUSTON, TEXAS – 2022
A 63-year-old Sugar Land resident has been ordered to prison for conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Joyce Agu pleaded guilty on October 17, 2022, for her role in a massive Medicare scam that netted millions of dollars in fraudulent claims.
Agu was sentenced to 60 months in prison, to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional regarding Agu’s family and her charitable contributions. However, Judge Randy Crane considered how extensive the fraudulent scheme was and the millions that were siphoned from the Medicare program. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the amount of fraud.
At the time of her plea, Agu admitted she paid others to certify her clients for home health services in order to bill Medicare. These beneficiaries did not qualify for the services and, in some cases, did not receive them. Medicare paid Agu’s companies over $3 million based on the fraudulent claims.
The investigation, which was a joint effort between the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, FBI, and Texas Attorney General’s – Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, revealed the extent of Agu’s scheme and the harm it caused to the Medicare program. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rodolfo Ramirez and Grace Murphy prosecuted the case.
Agu was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Her sentence serves as a reminder of the consequences of committing Medicare fraud and the importance of holding accountable those who exploit the system for personal gain.
The case highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the healthcare industry to prevent and detect Medicare fraud. It also underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring that they are held to the highest standards of integrity and ethics.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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