Oklahoma City Behavioral Health Counselor Charged with Medicaid Fraud

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – On November 15, 2017, a federal grand jury charged SAMUEL OKERE, 61, of Oklahoma City, with Medicaid fraud, announced Mark A. Yancey, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, and Mike Hunter, Oklahoma Attorney General.  The indictment was unsealed today at Okere’s arraignment.

According to the 224-count indictment, Okere defrauded the Oklahoma Health Care Authority through false claims for behavioral health counseling while he was a licensed professional counselor and owner of New Life Counseling Services.  In particular, the indictment alleges that Okere billed for counseling sessions for multiple individuals, primarily children, at times when he could not have been counseling them.  For example, some of the times and dates billed were when clients were at school or in the hospital.  Others were when Okere was engaged in activities inconsistent with counseling, such as speaking on the phone with representatives of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

If convicted, Okere could be imprisoned for a maximum of ten years on each count, to be followed by three years of supervised release.  He could also be fined up to $250,000 on each count and would be subject to mandatory restitution.

Attorney General Hunter stated that he appreciates U.S. Attorney Yancey for assisting his office on this case.  U.S. Attorney Yancey said his office will continue its partnership with state agencies and state law enforcement to prevent fraud and corruption.

The public is reminded these charges are merely accusations and that Okere is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Maxfield Green and Assistant Oklahoma Attorney General Lory Dewey, who is also a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, are prosecuting the case.  Reference is made to court filings for further information.