Six people were sentenced on Mar. 17 in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg for stealing approximately $10 million from the Virginia Medicaid system over a six-year period by submitting false claims through 1st Adult N Pediatric Healthcare Services.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat healthcare fraud and protect public funds. The defendants were ordered to pay $10 million in restitution to Virginia Medicaid, underscoring the financial impact of fraudulent activities on taxpayer-funded programs.
The three owners of the agency—Carolyn Bryant-Taylor, Kafomdi Josephine Okocha, and Samuel Okocha—received prison sentences of 120 months, 96 months, and 72 months respectively. Three other individuals involved in the conspiracy, Eno Utuk, Elizabeth Ilome, and Shekita Gore, were each sentenced to probation.
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, said, “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 1st Adult N Pediatric Healthcare Service—a Medicaid-enrolled home health agency providing services throughout Virginia. Gore served as director of nursing while Utuk and Ilome provided nursing and personal care services. The group conspired to submit false claims for services not rendered by falsifying records and documentation.
Between 2017 and 2023, Bryant-Taylor and Josephine Okocha arranged payments to parents or guardians of patients in exchange for blank signed nursing notes used to support fraudulent billing. The actual loss acknowledged by the conspirators was $10 million.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit led the investigation with assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Jones and Laura Taylor along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Terry prosecuted the case.
