Rex Duruji, a 56-year-old unlicensed medical professional from Houston, was convicted of participating in a massive $1.3 million Medicare fraud scheme that left taxpayers footing the bill.
A federal jury in Houston delivered the verdict against Duruji after a four-day trial that exposed the shocking extent of the scheme. Duruji was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay healthcare kickbacks, and one count of healthcare fraud.
The scheme, which lasted from January 2012 to May 2015, saw Duruji pose as a licensed physician despite not holding a medical license in Texas. He would then lure Medicare beneficiaries into signing up for fake home-health services with Koby Home Health (Koby) that were never provided.
As part of the scheme, Duruji would pay cash kickbacks to the beneficiaries for submitting false claims. The scam resulted in Medicare paying approximately $1.3 million in false and fraudulent claims for home-health services submitted by Koby.
According to Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco, the conviction sends a strong message that Medicare fraud will not be tolerated. ‘This conviction demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting the integrity of Medicare and holding accountable those who seek to exploit the system for personal gain.’
The FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) worked together to investigate the case. Trial Attorneys Scott Armstrong and Kevin Lowell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Rex Duruji is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8, 2017, and faces significant prison time for his role in the massive scheme. The conviction serves as a reminder that Medicare fraud will be aggressively pursued and those responsible will be held accountable.
Related Federal Cases
- Juan A. Tony Marrero, Medicare Fraud Scheme, Miami FL, 2023 · Florida
- John McClure, Contractor Fraud Scheme, NY, 2023 · Washington
- Emiel A. Kandi, Mortgage Fraud Scheme, WA, 2023 · Kansas
- Jose Antonio Caballero, Mortgage Fraud Scheme, Sherman TX, 2023 · Washington
- Shannon Tecoko Mays, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Texas, 2012 · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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