FBI Sting Leads To Arrests, Ends Wheelchair Runaround

[TexasStooge]

FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAS NBC5) -- FBI agents arrest 11 north Texans on fraud charges as federal investigators say the group targeted senior citizens.

The sting was dubbed Operation Rollover because the suspects are accused in an illegal motorized wheelchair scheme.

The billing to Medicare exceeded $36 million, with more than $15 million paid out to the defendants, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

According to the indictments, the wheelchair suppliers and the physician used the money they received from Medicare for themselves. "Recruiters" would approach older people and obtain their Medicare information to get them "free" scooters and electric wheelchairs.

Some of the Medicare beneficiaries would receive scooters, but wheelchair suppliers billed Medicare for the more expensive motorized wheelchairs, the indictment said. Others never received anything, prosecutors said.

Among the eight arrested were the Patrick Oke Ekong, 52, and Affiong Ikpeme Ekong, 47, both of Richardson. They were identified as owners of Upakeii Corp. in Richardson.

Also arrested were Michael D. Nsekpong, 43, of Irving, the owner of Tachy Medical Equipment and Supplies in Dallas; Donatus Daniel Usanga, 47, of Rockwall, the owner of Mendus Medical Equipment and Supplies in Dallas; Uko Edet Essien, 43, of Carrollton, the owner of Medical Equipment & Supplies of North America in Dallas.

McKinney resident Emmanuel Uko Akpan, 41, owner of Stat Medical Equipment and General Services in Garland, and Ignatius Chuka Ogba, 45, of Frisco, owner of Universal Health Services in Dallas, also were arrested. Dr. Lloyd McGriff, 51, of Cedar Hill also was arrested.

The eight were in custody facing detention hearings next week.

All are accused of one count of health care fraud and could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Prosecutors want the return of $7 million they said was obtained in the scheme.

Investigators said if the victims really need a wheelchair later, the fraud could cause problems.