Call Now  (713) 227-4444 Email Us Hablamos
Español

Neal Davis Blog

  • About
    • Neal Davis
    • Tyler Brock
    • Andrew Jordan
    • Hiring An Attorney
  • Expertise
    • Criminal Defense
    • Sex Crime Defense
    • Child Pornography
    • Child Solicitation
    • Drug Possession
    • White Collar Crimes
    • Shoplifing/Theft
    • DWI
    • Murder Defense
    • Assault & Family Violence
    • Title IX Defense
  • Results
  • Reviews
  • Press
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Criminal Defense Guides
    • Scholarships
Home / White Collar Crime / $20 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme Exposed in Houston

$20 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme Exposed in Houston

April 25, 2019

healthcare fraud penalties

How severe are healthcare fraud penalties and punishments?

Just ask a Houston woman whose exposed Medicare fraud scheme resulted in a 10-year prison sentence and an order to pay back more than $20 million, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Evelyn Mokwuah of Pearland, Texas was sentenced in federal court in Houston by U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller of the Southern District of Texas. She’s the former director of nursing and administration of Criseven Health Management Corporation (Criseven) and Beechwood Home Health (Beechwood) — both based in Houston.

Along with a prison sentence of 10 years, Judge Miller also ordered Evelyn to pay $20,462,607.21 in restitution to Medicare for the illegally obtained funds in the healthcare fraud scheme.

At her trial, Evelyn was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud as well as four counts of healthcare fraud.

The Medicare fraud scheme involved Evelyn and others making false and fraudulent claims for home health services at Criseven and Beechwood — services which weren’t medically necessary, weren’t provided, or both.

Trial evidence showed that Evelyn had falsely certified and billed Medicare for patients who weren’t homebound or didn’t qualify for home health services.

Trial evidence also showed that she, along with other individuals, paid patient recruiters to enlist Medicare beneficiaries for Beechwood and Criseven, falsified patient records to show that patients were homebound when they weren’t, and paid physicians to certify false plans of care for Medicare beneficiaries so that Criseven and Beechwood could bill Medicare for such services.

The case was investigated in part by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for this area’s Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which is supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

In the past dozen years, similar strike forces nationwide have charged almost 4,000 persons for collectively billing Medicare for over $14 billion in fraudulent claims.

The federal government’s aggressive actions to expose and punish Medicare fraud have a worthy goal, yet sometimes such actions can cast a wide net and involve innocent people who shouldn’t be defendants in these cases.

Have you or someone in your family been snared in a healthcare fraud sting?

If so, and if you or a loved one faces a charge of Medicare fraud or healthcare fraud, notify the Neal Davis Law Firm today. Our experienced Houston healthcare fraud defense lawyers will provide you with a legal review of your case.

We fight for the rights of clients in Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Houston and the remainder of Harris County. We are knowledgeable and skilled in handling white collar crime cases involving fraud and embezzlement, including different types of Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

Let’s get started protecting your legal rights.

Related Resources

  • 'Empire' Actor Bryshere Gray Arrested For Domestic Assault in Arizona
    'Empire' Actor Bryshere Gray Arrested For Domestic Assault…
  • Harris County Defense Lawyers Resist In-Person Hearings
    Harris County Defense Lawyers Resist In-Person Hearings
  • What is Indecent Assault in Texas?
    What is Indecent Assault in Texas?
5-star review image
He got me through a very tough time
Fraud  |  Houston
Client's white collar fraud case was dismissed
2014-06-02
"I had a previous lawyer who I felt was not doing enough for my case. The first time ..."
K.M. (case expunged), Verified Customer
5-star review image
Forever In Your Debt
Assault  |  Texas
Aggravated sex assault of a child. Grand jury returned a no bill and case was dismissed after our very thorough investigation.
2018-11-02
"Words cannot describe my emotions right now. And words definitely cannot be conveyed in a message on how ..."
R.D., Verified Customer
5-star review image
They are truly advocates for their clients!
DWI  |  Houston
CLIENT GIVEN DEFERRED ADJUDICATION IN RECKLESS MANSLAUGHTER (WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE) CASE
2015-01-08
"First off let me thank Neal for his courageous and tireless work on my case. It was a ..."
A.G., Verified Customer

Categories

  • Child Pornography & Online Solicitation
  • Community
  • Criminal Defense
  • Drug Crimes
  • Federal Crimes
  • Firm News
  • Intoxication Offenses
  • Sex Crimes
  • Violent Crimes
  • White Collar Crime

Search

Criminal Defense Court Process

FREE E-BOOK

Learn all about the legal process and your legal rights.

Get Your Free Copy Now

Board Certified, Criminal Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2009-2021), AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell (2015), and listed as a Best Lawyer in America (2015-2022)

He doesn't give up, no matter what you're up against
M.F.
5-star review image
Got my life back
K.W.
5-star review image
Muy satisfechos con su trabajo
Tia de J.C.
5-star review image

Read All Reviews

    Contact Our Law Firm




    We respect your privacy. The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

    Address
    Neal Davis Law Firm
    The Heights Boulevard Law Building
    1545 Heights Blvd., Suite 700
    Houston, TX 77008

    Map

    Call 24/7
    (713) 227-4444

    Office Hours
    Monday - Saturday
    8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

    Sunday: Closed


    Experienced Criminal Defense Law Firm in Texas

    While based in Houston, our law firm provides knowledgeable representation and comprehensive legal services for individuals throughout Texas, including:


    Location

    Harris County:

    Houston, Pasadena, Baytown

    Montgomery County:

    Conroe, The WoodlandsWillis, Pinehurst

    Fort Bend County:

    Sugar Land, Richmond, Needville, Cinco Ranch


    Your Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer: Neal Davis


    A principle of the American criminal justice system is that all defendants are "innocent until proven guilty." Houston criminal defense attorney Neal Davis and his skilled legal team represent individuals accused of committing crimes. For over 20 years, Neal Davis has successfully defended clients in Texas and federal courts in all types of criminal matters at all phases, from state misdemeanors to complex federal matters. Often, he has favorably resolved criminal cases quickly and quietly, without the need for trial.


    The Neal Davis Law Firm defends the rights of individuals charged with all types of state crimes, including drug offenses , child sex crimes, online solicitation of a minor , child pornography, DWI and intoxication manslaughter, fraud and theft, assault and family violence, and murder and homicide, as well as all types of federal crimes.


    Board Certified, Criminal Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Serving all of counties and federal courts across Texas, including Harris County (Houston), Montgomery County (Conroe), Galveston County and Fort Bend County (Richmond). Enjuris Texas personal injury guide

    © 2023 Neal Davis Law Firm, PLLC. All rights reserved. Law Firm Online Marketing by SEO Advantage, Inc.


    Legal Information

    The information and materials on this website are provided for general informational purposes only, and are not intended to be legal advice. We attempt to provide quality information, but the law changes frequently, and varies from place to place. The information and materials provided are general in nature, and may not apply to a specific factual or legal circumstance. An attorney and client relationship should not be implied. Nothing on this website is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney; therefore, if you require legal advice, please consult with a competent attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction. Every case is different and individual results may vary depending on the facts of a case.