National Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in 324 Defendants Charged in Connection with Over $14.6 Billion in Alleged Fraud — U.S. Attorney's Office, District of North Dakota
Summary
On June 30, 2025, Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl of the District of North Dakota announced an indictment of Isaac Osei Afoakwa, 55, of Bismarck as part of the Justice Department's 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. Afoakwa is charged with false statements relating to a health care benefit program, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting a false tax return. The indictment alleges that Afoakwa, as owner of Bismarck Transportation Services, submitted $100,000 of false claims to North Dakota Medicaid for non-medical emergency transport, and fraudulently obtained a Paycheck Protection Program loan and eight Economic Injury Disaster Loans totaling $1,615,944. The nationwide takedown charged 324 defendants over more than $14.6 billion in alleged false billings, and over $245 million in assets was seized. An indictment is merely an allegation.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Full text
Press Release National Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in 324 Defendants Charged in Connection with Over $14.6 Billion in Alleged Fraud Monday, June 30, 2025 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, District of North Dakota Largest DOJ Health Care Fraud Takedown in History More than Doubles Prior Record of $6 Billion Fargo : Today, Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl announced criminal charges against Isaac Osei Afoakwa , 55, of Bismarck, North Dakota in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Medicare. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. Afoakwa was charged by indictment with false statements relating to a health care benefit program, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting the preparation and presentation of a false and fraudulent tax return. As alleged in the indictment, Afoakwa, as owner and principal of Bismarck Transportation Services, allegedly submitted $100,000 of false and fraudulent claims to North Dakota Medicaid on behalf of Bismarck Transportation Services for non-medical emergency transport services. Afoakwa also fraudulently obtained a Paycheck Protection Program loan, as well as eight Economic Injury Disaster Loans, to which he was not entitled, in the total amount of $1,615,944. “Today’s record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown sends a crystal-clear message to criminal actors, both foreign and domestic, intent on preying upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers: we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.” The charges announced today by Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in alleged false billings and over 15.6 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets. In connection with the Takedown, the Government seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets. The District of North Dakota in particular, worked with the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the enforcement period: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, and the North Dakota Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. A complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Greenley of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota. The following materials related to today’s announcement are available on the Health Care Fraud Unit’s website through these links: • Graphics and Resources • Case Descriptions • Court Documents # # # Contact Terry W. Van Horn 701-297-7400 terry.vanhorn@usdoj.gov Updated June 30, 2025 Topic Healthcare Fraud Component USAO - North Dakota
File and source
- File
- doj-usao-nd-press-release-national-health-care-fraud-takedown-results-324-defendants-charged--2025-06-30.html
- Size
- 92,338 bytes
- SHA-256
- a599a8e0f04a37d31e30244702761ce76248af1c32ca9630607c5668ff827834
- Original
- www.justice.gov