Six individuals were sentenced on March 17 in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg for their roles in a healthcare fraud scheme that stole approximately $10 million from the Virginia Medicaid system over six years.
The case centers on false claims submitted to Medicaid by 1st Adult N Pediatric Healthcare Services for services that were never provided. The three owners of the company—Carolyn Bryant-Taylor, Kafomdi Josephine Okocha, and Samuel Okocha—received prison sentences of 120 months, 96 months, and 72 months respectively. Three other defendants, Eno Utuk, Elizabeth Ilome, and Shekita Gore, were each sentenced to probation. All defendants were ordered to pay $10 million in restitution to Virginia Medicaid.
Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said, “This United States Attorney’s Office will hold accountable those who commit healthcare fraud and steal from hardworking Americans. I commend the FBI and the Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their diligent work in bringing these individuals to justice and protecting hardworking Virginians.” Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, added: “These sentences make clear that fraud against federally funded programs is theft from the American people. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure those who steal taxpayer funds are held accountable.”
According to court documents, Bryant-Taylor, Josephine Okocha, and Samuel Okocha owned and operated a home health agency providing nursing and personal care services throughout Virginia. The conspiracy involved submitting fraudulent claims by falsifying records and documentation for reimbursement. Between 2017 and 2023, arrangements were made with parents or guardians of patients to obtain blank signed nursing notes used to support false billing.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit led the investigation with assistance from federal health authorities. The Attorney General of Virginia supports civil rights enforcement and victim assistance programs according to its official website. The office also provides legal counsel to state agencies while promoting public safety as detailed online, serves all residents of the Commonwealth according to its website, addresses issues such as human trafficking through legal advocacy as reported online, offers consumer protection resources for identity theft as noted on its site, and is currently led by Miyares as the 48th Attorney General according to official information.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Jones and Laura Taylor prosecuted the case along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Terry from the Virginia Attorney General’s Office.
