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A Pearland-connected case may be the most staggering allegation in healthcare fraud takedown

Author: Jaime E. Galvan Published: 8:34 AM CDT June 24, 2026 Updated: 8:48 AM CDT June 24, 2026 HOUSTON — Federal prosecutors say several Houston-area defendants are among hundreds of people charged in what the U.S. Department of Justice is calling the largest health care fraud takedown in history. The nationwide enforcement action announced Tuesday involved 455 defendants across the country and more than $6.5 billion in alleged false claims. Officials said cases were filed in 56 federal districts and 45 states and territories, with all 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating. For Houston-area residents, the cases span alleged Medicaid fraud involving mental health services for children, an opioid distribution scheme tied to Houston-area clinics and a pharmacy, allegations involving fraudulent physical therapy claims submitted for injured federal workers and a Pearland-connected Medicare and TRICARE fraud case involving elderly hospice patients. In total, nine people tied to Houston-area cases were charged as part of the nationwide crackdown. A Las Vegas nurse practitioner connected to a Pearland clinic was also charged in a separate alleged $906 million fraud scheme. Pearland-connected clinic owner accused in $906 million Medicare fraud scheme Federal prosecutors charged Marizel Yukee, a 49-year-old nurse practitioner from Las Vegas, in connection with an alleged $906 million scheme to defraud Medicare and TRICARE. According to the indictment, Yukee owned four mobile wound clinics in four states, including a clinic in Pearland, and targeted elderly Medicare patients, many of whom were terminally ill and receiving hospice care. Prosecutors allege medically unnecessary amniotic wound treatments were applied to vulnerable patients through an illegal kickback and bribery scheme. Authorities allege the treatments were applied to infected wounds, wounds that had already healed and wounds that were not responding to treatment. Prosecutors also allege Yukee falsified patient records to make it appear the procedures met Medicare requirements. In total, authorities allege approximately $906 million in false claims were billed to Medicare and TRICARE, with approximately $297 million paid. Investigators seized assets valued at approximately $35.2 million, including $467,000 in cash, a $594,000 Ferrari 296 GTS, seven other vehicles and an $865,000 Bulgari necklace. Houston-area behavioral health company accused in $16 million Medicaid fraud scheme Five people from the Houston area were charged in connection with an alleged $16 million Medicaid fraud scheme involving Lahor Behavioral Services LLC. Those charged include:  Princepaul Agbonlahor, 51, of Katy Ginger Ruffin, 46, of Conroe Nekewon Konah, 51, of Katy Stephanie Harris, 37, of Pearland Takiya Caradine, 33, of Houston According to prosecutors, Agbonlahor owned Lahor Behavioral Services and billed Medicaid for mental health services for minors that did not occur. Authorities allege Medicaid paid the company about $8 million. The indictment also alleges counselors created fake visit notes and falsified timesheets to conceal the fraudulent billing activity. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Olson of the Southern District of Texas. Houston-area pill mill operation allegedly distributed millions of pills Three Houston-area defendants were charged in connection with what prosecutors described as two pill mill clinics in Houston and a pill mill pharmacy in Conroe. Those charged include: Tonya Crowder, 49, of Missouri City Marlene Durham, 55, of Humble Demetrius Onuaguluchi, 34, of Houston According to the indictment, the defendants participated in a scheme to unlawfully distribute controlled substances in exchange for cash. Federal prosecutors allege the clinics issued more than 3.4 million pills, including: More than 2 million oxycodone 30 mg pills More than 900,000 hydrocodone 10/325 mg pills More than 500,000 carisoprodol 350 mg pills Authorities allege Onuaguluchi worked closely with the clinics and dispensed more than 136,000 pills based on prescriptions issued through those operations. The indictment also includes more than $80,000 in cash seized from one clinic, a residence and a property connected to the alleged drug diversion scheme. Houston rehab clinic accused of submitting $3 million in false claims Federal prosecutors also charged two people tied to Advanced Functional Rehab, or AFR, over an alleged $3 million fraud scheme targeting a federal workers' compensation program. Luther Johnson III Luther Johnson III, 48, of Houston, was charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and two counts of health care fraud. Prosecutors allege AFR submitted approximately $3 million in false claims to the Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation for physical and massage therapy that was either not provided, not provided as billed or otherwise ineligible for reimbursement. Authorities say approximately $2.7 million was paid. According to the indictment, Johnson was not a licensed chiropractor but allegedly presented himself as one. Prosecutors allege claims were submitted for one-on-one physical therapy sessions when no medical providers were present and patients were instead socializing, watching television, using their phones or exercising independently. Authorities also allege AFR billed for one-on-one massage therapy that patients performed on themselves using massage guns. Fort Bend County chiropractor charged Pleshette Johnson-Wiggins, 51, a licensed chiropractor from Fort Bend County, was separately charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud tied to the same AFR case. Prosecutors allege that, as AFR's enrolled provider, Johnson-Wiggins conspired with others to submit claims for services that either did not occur or were not eligible for reimbursement. Largest health care fraud takedown in history The Department of Justice said the 2026 operation marks a record-setting effort involving unprecedented cooperation between federal, state and international law enforcement agencies. Officials said the nationwide operation resulted in: 455 defendants charged More than $6.5 billion in alleged false claims 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals charged More than $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry and other assets seized The investigations involved the FBI, the Department of Justice's Health Care Fraud Unit, the Texas Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Officials emphasized that all charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at newstips@khou.com or call 713-521-4310 and include the best way to reach you....