A federal jury convicted Francis Ekene, 71, Sugar Land, on all counts following a three-day trial, and US District Judge Sim Lake imposed a 120-month-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Also convicted at trial was Alfred Olotin Alatan, 63, formerly of Houston and now residing in Fulshear. He was previously sentenced to 120 months in prison. Alatan was the owner of Colony Home Health Services, while Ekene was the owner of Milten Medical Clinic, both businesses located in Houston. At trial, the jury heard that Alatan paid recruiters to bring patient information to be billed for home health services regardless of whether they needed it or not. Beneficiaries testified in trial and admitted they did not need home health services at the time the healthcare service providers billed them. Additional testimony revealed a doctor had signed off on plan of care forms at the Milton Clinic when patients were not actually under his care. Previous employees Susana Bermudez and Rita Kpotie Smith also testified. Bermudez admitted she and Smith operated both clinics and that Alatan was the leader of the scheme. Both Alatan and Ekene would consult Bermudez and Smith who directed them and provided assistance in carrying out the scheme within both offices.
