An Orland Park man was charged with five counts of wire fraud as part of a scheme to submit $233 million in fraudulent COVID testing claims in Illinois and Florida.
Jamil Elkoussa, 35, is among 13 defendants facing criminal charges in the Northern District of Illinois as part of the largest national health care fraud enforcement action in Department of Justice history–and the largest ever in the Northern District of Illinois.
More than 320 defendants were charged nationwide for allegedly participating in various health care fraud schemes involving more than $14.6 billion in intended losses. The government seized more than $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets as part of the national enforcement effort. The takedown involved federal and state law enforcement agencies across the country and represented an unprecedented effort to combat health care fraud schemes that exploit both patients and taxpayers.
In the Northern District of Illinois, the 13 defendants are charged with various crimes related to health care, with some allegedly participating in fraud schemes involving more than $1.83 billion billed to government programs and private health insurers. The fraud schemes caused the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, Medicare, and other insurers to pay more than $865 million in fraudulent reimbursements.
According to the indictment, Elkoussa’s fraudulent conduct resulted in approximately $154 million in HRSA payments to the laboratory, for which Elkoussa received more than $60 million.
The defendants are charged with various crimes related to health care, with some allegedly participating in fraud schemes involving more than $1.83 billion billed to government programs and private health insurers. The fraud schemes caused the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, Medicare, and other insurers to pay more than $865 million in fraudulent reimbursements.
Elkoussa operated Meridian Medical Staffing, which purported to collect samples for COVID-19 tests at numerous sites in Illinois and Florida.
In 2021, Meridian Medical Staffing, entered into an agreement with an unnamed laboratory to run COVID-19 tests on samples he claimed to have collected from sites at Loretto, Oak Forest and other hospitals in Illinois and Florida.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois is proud to partner with the Department of Justice and multiple law enforcement agencies in the largest health care fraud takedown in our District’s history,” said Andrew S. Boutros, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. “Health care fraud is an insidious crime that siphons off hard-earned tax dollars meant to provide care for people of limited means as well as the vulnerable and disabled. It leads to increased health care costs, including higher insurance premiums and taxes, as well as potentially jeopardizing the quality and safety of treatment.
“At nearly $2 billion, the alleged combined fraud at issue in these cases is staggering. This type of criminal conduct not only undermines the very fabric of our health care system, but also can lead to mistrust between patient and health care provider, especially when the criminal conduct is committed by medical professionals in a position of trust. Our Office will continue to vigorously pursue those who seek to exploit these critically important health care programs by placing greed and profits above patient care.”
Approximately $6 million in assets have been seized, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.