A Nigerian man based in the United States, Ifeanyi Ozoh, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for his role in a $6 million bribery and fraud scheme targeting Medicaid, a U.S. insurance program for low-income individuals.
Following his prison term, Ozoh will serve three years under supervised release and is required to pay $4.9 million in restitution to Medicaid.
The U.S. Department of Justice disclosed the sentencing in a statement by U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani on Wednesday, emphasizing the severity of the fraudulent activities.
The 54-year-old Ozoh was convicted of conspiring to offer and receive kickbacks in exchange for patient referrals under Medicaid.
He fraudulently channeled these patients to a sham clinic to submit fake insurance claims, pocketing millions in illicit profits.
“A federal jury deliberated for an hour following a three-day trial before finding Ifeanyi Ozoh guilty on all counts February 14,” the statement said.
Chief Judge Randy Crane, who presided over the case, noted the overwhelming evidence presented during the trial.
“The U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Ozoh to serve 72 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Ozoh was also ordered to pay restitution to Medicaid for $4.9 million,” the statement confirmed.
Ozoh, a Houston, Texas resident, was employed at Floss Family Dentalcare Centre, which emerged as the epicenter of the fraudulent scheme.
Between 2020 and 2021, the clinic billed Medicaid over $6 million, receiving more than $4 million in payments.
These claims were largely based on illegal kickbacks and fabricated dental services.
Marketers involved in the scheme testified that Ozoh paid them between $20 and $100 for each Medicaid-insured child they referred to the clinic.
The bribes were often discreetly handled, with Ozoh placing cash payments in concealed locations like the top of a vending machine in a hallway.
“One clinic manager testified that she repeatedly warned Ozoh that paying marketers was illegal,” the statement revealed.
Despite these warnings, Ozoh continued the kickbacks, paying over $163,000 to marketers. He also received bonuses for meeting patient referral quotas.
The fraudulent activities caused significant losses to Medicaid, with many claims linked to services that were never rendered.
Prosecutors highlighted the systemic exploitation of the program, underscoring Ozoh’s central role in orchestrating the scheme.
Despite his conviction, the judgment allows Ozoh to remain free on bond, pending voluntary surrender to a Bureau of Prisons facility at a later date.
This case highlights the Justice Department’s commitment to cracking down on healthcare fraud, ensuring accountability for individuals who exploit vital public programs for personal gain.
