Houston man sentenced to six years in prison for leading Medicaid kickback scheme at dental clinic
Houston – A 54-year-old man, Ifeanyi Ozoh, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for his role in a healthcare kickback scheme involving Medicaid funds at a dental clinic, following a verdict delivered by a federal jury. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani and imposed by U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane.
Details of the Conviction and Trial
After a swift deliberation concluding a three-day trial, Ozoh was found guilty on February 14 of conspiring to pay and receive healthcare kickbacks and payment of those kickbacks to marketers. The scheme primarily involved bribing marketers and parents to bring their Medicaid-insured children to Floss Family Dentalcare Center, a facility where Ozoh worked. This operation lasted from January 2020 to February 2021.
The Scheme’s Mechanics
The court heard detailed accounts of how Ozoh orchestrated the kickback operation. He was accused of paying marketers between $20 and $100 per Medicaid-insured child they referred to the clinic. These transactions, the jury learned, were often conducted covertly, with cash exchanges hidden from view, sometimes placed atop a vending machine away from the clinic’s main areas.
Financial Impact and Legal Implications
Ozoh’s activities led to Floss Family Dentalcare Center billing Medicaid for over $6 million, with the clinic receiving upwards of $4 million from these claims. A significant portion of these funds was allegedly obtained through corrupt practices, including payments for unprovided dental services. During his sentencing, Ozoh was also ordered to pay $4.9 million in restitution to Medicaid, underscoring the financial damage inflicted by his actions.
Witness Testimonies and Legal Prohibitions
Testimonies during the trial highlighted the illegal nature of Ozoh’s actions. One clinic manager recounted her repeated warnings to Ozoh about the illegality of paying marketers. Additionally, a Medicaid representative clarified the prohibition against kickbacks for medical service referrals, reinforcing the legal boundaries Ozoh crossed.
Legal and Investigative Collaboration
The case was brought to light through collaborative efforts between the FBI, Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Olson and Lauren Valenti led the prosecution, presenting overwhelming evidence of Ozoh’s involvement in the kickback scheme.
Ozoh was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
