LA pastor sentenced to 15 years in Medicare fraud

By The Associated Press
5:32 p.m., Jan. 9, 2012

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles pastor has been sentenced to 15 years for his role in a scheme to bilk Medicare out of $14.2 million.

Federal Health and Human Services officials say 61-year-old Christopher Iruke also was ordered to pay $6.7 million in restitution at a hearing Monday.

Prosecutors say Iruke and his wife Connie Ikpoh persuaded churchgoers at the now-defunct Arms of Grace Christian Center to provide personal information that was misused to open fraudulent medical equipment supply operations.

The fraudulent businesses billed Medicare for power wheelchairs and other pricey equipment that was never provided or was unnecessary.

The couple spent the ill-gotten proceeds on luxury vehicles and home remodeling expenses.

Ikpoh, who also was convicted in the case, is due to be sentenced on Feb. 27.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/...care-fraud/?ap