United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER
ON SEVERAL HEALTH CARE FRAUD CHARGES

United States Richard B. Roper announced that Bassey Jackson “BJ” Ekanem, the sole owner of Rooster Medical Equipment and Supplies (Rooster Medical), a durable medical equipment company (DME) was convicted today after a one and a half week-long jury trial in United States District Court in Dallas, Texas. The jury found the defendant guilty of five counts of health care fraud.

BJ Ekanem, age 48 of Arlington, Texas, was the sole owner and operator of Rooster Medical, located in Fort Worth, Texas. The defendant was convicted of obtaining patient information from Medicare beneficiaries and using that information to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare for DME. Medicare covers the expense of medical equipment for elderly and/or disabled patients. BJ Ekanem purchased and delivered scooters which were cheaper and less expensive DME, to Medicare beneficiaries. BJ Ekanem then submitted claims to Medicare for the reimbursement of a K0011 power wheelchair and list of accessories, a much more expensive DME item. During the fraudulent scheme that lasted nearly 18 months, Rooster Medical billed Medicare for K0011 power wheelchairs and accessories in excess $1,700,000.00.

Based on his conviction, Ekanem could be sentenced up to a maximum statutory punishment of 50 years, fine, and mandatory restitution.

Roper praised the investigative efforts of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and noted that his case is the latest conviction from Operation Rollover involving DME fraud. Additional investigations remain ongoing.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William C. McMurrey and Sean R. McKenna.

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