Suspect in Texas Health Fraud Case Arrested in Nigeria

HOUSTON (AP) _ A man sought since 2009 in a $45 million health care scam investigation has been arrested in Nigeria and returned to Texas. 

Federal prosecutors say 45-year-old Godwin Chiedo Nzeocha arrived in Houston on Wednesday. The defendant is a native of Nigeria who’s a naturalized U.S. citizen.

The fraud investigation involves City Nursing Services of Texas Inc. 

Nzeocha in October 2009 was charged with 39 counts of health care fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, three counts of mail fraud and three counts of money laundering. 

The defendant allegedly signed documents as a physical therapy provider when he wasn’t qualified. Allegations were also raised about cash payments to recruiters who provided Medicare patients to City Nursing.

Five people have been convicted in the health care fraud investigation.

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