Former Powell Couple Indicted in Alleged $9.3 Million Ohio Medicaid Fraud Scheme
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former central Ohio couple has been indicted on allegations they operated a years-long Medicaid fraud scheme that resulted in more than $9.3 million in improper payments, according to Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson.
A Franklin County grand jury indicted Roberta Acheampong, 39, and her husband, Godfred Owusu-Sekyere, 46, who previously lived in Powell, on 12 felony charges connected to the alleged scheme.
The charges include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, telecommunications fraud, theft, forgery, Medicaid fraud, money laundering, and identity fraud.
Authorities believe the couple is currently living outside the United States, possibly in Kenya or Ghana.
“It’s important to remember that these are your tax dollars being stolen,” Wilson said. “We are committed to rooting out Medicaid fraud and holding offenders accountable.”
The allegations stem from an investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit involving One Community Mental Health, a behavioral health clinic the couple owned and operated in Franklin County.
Investigators allege the clinic submitted fraudulent Medicaid claims for behavioral health and therapeutic services that were never provided.
According to the attorney general’s office, the couple allegedly targeted refugees receiving resettlement assistance, billing Medicaid multiple times per week for entire households for services that those individuals either did not receive or were unaware had been billed.
The investigation also alleges the couple falsified records and used the identities of translators and transportation workers to submit claims under their names.
Investigators said financial records showed Medicaid funds were transferred through multiple accounts and used for personal expenses, including real estate purchases and the purchase of a Porsche.
Ten Other Medicaid Providers Also Charged
In separate cases, 10 additional Medicaid providers were indicted in Franklin County this week over allegations they collectively stole more than $563,000 from the program.
The cases involve accusations ranging from fraudulent home-health billing to falsified treatment records.
Among those charged:
Angel Barker, 48, of Cleveland, allegedly submitted claims for home-health services while traveling, while clients were hospitalized, or when she did not provide scheduled care. Investigators said the alleged loss to Medicaid totaled $4,284.
Natoshia Branscome, 36, of Columbus, allegedly billed Medicaid for 30 hours of weekly services while providing only about 10 hours per week, resulting in an alleged loss of $5,893.
Toni Heldman, 68, of Mason, is accused of misrepresenting her living arrangement with a relative to receive a higher reimbursement rate. Investigators allege she created the appearance of separate residences during a monitoring visit, causing an alleged Medicaid loss of $7,149.
Josh Jackson, 29, of Cincinnati, allegedly continued submitting timesheets and electronic verification records for a client after he stopped providing services. Investigators said the alleged loss totaled $20,131.
Dez’Aray Keith, 45, of Eastlake, allegedly billed for services while working another job, attending personal appointments, and during times a client was enrolled in adult daycare. The alleged loss was $2,016.
Ashley Lawton, 40, of Fairfield, allegedly billed Medicaid for home-health and transportation services she did not provide between 2021 and 2026. Investigators said the alleged loss totaled $91,969.
Karen Saunders, 63, of Westerville, faces charges alleging she stole $361,053 from Medicaid by billing for therapeutic behavioral health services that investigators say were not provided.
Summer Sheridan, 39, of Columbus, allegedly submitted overlapping claims to multiple agencies for the same home-health services, resulting in an alleged loss of $62,806.
Kandis Smith, 32, of Cincinnati, allegedly submitted fraudulent timesheets for services while a client was hospitalized or in a nursing facility. The alleged loss totaled $4,246.
Leo Ulery, 32, of South Point, allegedly created false counseling documentation and billed Medicaid for treatment sessions that did not occur. The alleged loss totaled $4,313.
The Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which operates within the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Section, investigates allegations of fraud involving the state Medicaid program and works with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Officials said the unit also investigates allegations involving patient abuse and neglect.
The charges announced are only allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
