Trussville Nurse Indicted In Health Care Fraud Case

TRUSSVILLE, AL - A Trussville nurse is among four people charged with 44 counts of health care fraud in connection with a "pill mill" allegedly run out of Care Complete Medical Clinic in Birmingham. Dr. Patrick Emeka Ifediba, 59, his wife Dr. Uchenna Grace Ifediba, 53, were indicted along with Clement Essien Ebio, 60, and Ngozi Justina Ozuligbo, 48. Ozuligbo is the sister of Ifediba and is a licensed practical nurse from Trussville.

According to a report by the Trussville Tribune, the suspects are accused of stealing millions of dollars from healthcare programs by falsely billing for allergy treatments and other medical services. A copy of the indictment said that Ozuligbo worked at the Care Complete clinic and was also the sole member of Happy Monica LLC, Emeka LLC and Kenz LLC said to all be located at Linden Street in Trussville.

According to the indictment, the doctors allegedly used their prescribing authority to force patients to submit to unnecessary allergy testing and treatment in exchange for narcotics prescriptions.

“The charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud both carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine,” the office of U.S. Attorney Jay Town said in a statement. “Making false statements related to health care matters carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine."

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