Scheme to Defraud the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Mark Mandell, Esq.

 

In 2008 an $800,000 scheme targeting funds from a children’s charity was unearthed. The charity was an organization that is devoted to helping children in Africa.

Nehemiah Muzamhindo, a 48-year-old political refugee from Zimbabwe, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for his role in the scheme targeting funds from the foundation. In addition to his sentence Muzamhindo was also ordered to pay $709,000 in restitution fees.

Muzamhindo had taken $629,000 from the foundation before he was cut out of the scheme. In order to claim funds from the children’s charity Muzamhindo set up bank accounts and shell companies to accept fraudulent claims. Then, he would go on to send half of the money he collected to foundation worker, Sabina Brand, in South Africa. Sabina Brand is currently serving 15 years in a South African prison for her role in the scheme.

During the trial Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey attacked the “bad character” of Muzamhindo. VerHey wrote in court documents that; “…His crime had a far-reaching impact, because it led the WKKF to withdraw from its charitable activities in Africa.”

Scott Mertens, Muzamhindo’s defense attorney, argued for Muzamhindo’s character saying that, “Mr. Muzamhindo had been involved in charitable works and has assisted others who have emigrated from Zimbabwe.”

To learn more or to see the original article, please visit: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/09/kentwood_man_sent_to_prison_in.html

If you or someone you know is the target of a fraud investigation, or if you have already been indicted, contact the experienced team of fraud attorneys at Fausone Bohn, LLP, at (248) 380-0000 or online at www.MichiganFraudLawyer.com. 

$40 million Detroit-area Medicare Fraud Scheme

Tariq Hafeez, Esq.

A Detroit-area doctor, Hicham Elhorr, has been charged in federal court for his alleged leading role in a $40 million Medicare fraud scheme.

Dr. Elhorr was the owner and operator of House Calls Physicians (HCP), a physician home visiting service.  Elhorr allegedly submitted claims through HCP for physician home visits for patients that were never seen or visits conducted by doctors who were not licensed.  The complaint further alleges that Elhorr submitted claims to Medicare when he was out of the country, when beneficiaries were hospitalized, or even when the beneficiary was dead.

Additionally, Elhorr is charged with accepting kickbacks from home health agencies in exchange for referring patients to those agencies.  According to court documents, HCP has billed Medicare for approximately $9.2 million since January 2008.  In that same time period, the company has allegedly referred Medicare beneficiaries for home health services that resulted in approximately $30.8 million of reimbursements from Medicare.

 

Of course, these charges mean that Dr. Elhorr is suspected of committing these crimes but is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

Medicare and Medicaid fraud are serious offenses that are harshly prosecuted and carry severe penalties and jail time.  Having quality legal advice is imperative when defending against such allegations.

The experienced fraud team at Fausone Bohn, LLP – Mark Mandell, Tariq Hafeez, and Breeda O’Leary – can provide a top-notch legal defense for those involved in a government investigation or prosecution.  The team can also provide counsel for “whistleblowers” looking to expose the fraud of their employers (or ex-employers).  Whistleblowers may be eligible to receive money from a settlement or verdict and this knowledgeable team has the expertise to obtain these positive results.

To learn more or read the original article, please visit:

http://www.examiner.com/article/michigan-doctor-charged-40m-medicare-fraud-scheme