Six defendants sentenced after stealing more than 10 million dollars from Virginia Medicaid system

Lynchburg, Virginia – A large-scale healthcare fraud scheme that stretched across years and drained millions from a public system has now led to multiple federal sentences, closing a case that exposed widespread abuse of Medicaid resources in Virginia.

Six individuals connected to 1st Adult N Pediatric Healthcare Services were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg after authorities uncovered a conspiracy that resulted in more than $10 million in fraudulent claims submitted to the Virginia Medicaid system. The scheme, which lasted for approximately six years, involved billing for services that were never provided to patients.

The three primary defendants—Carolyn Bryant-Taylor, 61, of Clinton, Maryland; Kafomdi Josephine Okocha, 50, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; and Samuel Okocha, 52, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland—were identified as owners and operators of the healthcare agency at the center of the case.

Bryant-Taylor received a sentence of 120 months in federal prison, Josephine Okocha was sentenced to 96 months, and Samuel Okocha was sentenced to 72 months.

Fraud Scheme Built on False Claims and Fabricated Records

According to court documents, the agency provided services such as private duty nursing, personal care, and respite care across Virginia. However, instead of delivering legitimate care, the defendants orchestrated a system that relied heavily on false documentation and fabricated billing records.

Investigators found that the group submitted claims to Medicaid for services that were either never performed at all or exaggerated beyond what was actually provided. Central to the scheme was the use of falsified paperwork designed to make the claims appear legitimate.

Between 2017 and 2023, Bryant-Taylor and Josephine Okocha arranged for parents or guardians of patients to provide blank, signed nursing notes. These documents were later filled in to support fraudulent billing submissions. In exchange, payments were made to those individuals, creating a system where documentation could be manipulated without direct oversight.

The total loss tied to these actions was significant. The conspirators acknowledged that the fraudulent billing resulted in an actual loss of $10,000,000 to the Medicaid program.

Additional Defendants and Restitution Ordered

Three additional individuals involved in the conspiracy were also sentenced. Eno Utuk, 49, of Fredericksburg, Maryland; Elizabeth Ilome, 43, of Fredericksburg, Maryland; and Shekita Gore, 41, of Clinton, Maryland—who served as the agency’s director of nursing—were each sentenced to probation.

While their roles differed from the primary operators, they were still part of the broader effort to submit false claims and support the fraudulent operation.

In addition to prison and probation sentences, the court ordered all defendants to pay $10 million in restitution to Virginia Medicaid, aiming to recover funds lost through the scheme.

Federal Response and Ongoing Efforts

Federal officials emphasized that cases like this represent a direct theft from public resources meant to support vulnerable individuals.

“This United States Attorney’s Office will hold accountable those who commit healthcare fraud and steal from hardworking Americans,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “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.”

Investigators also highlighted the broader impact of such crimes.

“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,” said Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Prosecutors Jonathan Jones, Laura Taylor, and Nicole Terry led the case on behalf of the federal government.

The sentencing marks the end of a long-running investigation into a scheme that exploited a system designed to provide care, turning it instead into a source of illegal profit. Officials say the outcome sends a strong message about accountability and the serious consequences tied to healthcare fraud.