A federal jury found a Chicago woman, Angelita Newton, 42, guilty for her role in a scheme to defraud Medicare of approximately $7 million between 2011 and 2017. According to evidence presented at trial, from approximately 2011 to 2017, Newton worked at Care Specialists, a home health company based in Chicago, Illinois, and owned by Ferdinand Echavia, 46, and Ma Luisa Echavia, 44, both of Chicago. Newton was the Echavias’ employee and personal assistant. In that role, Newton conspired with the Echavias and others to submit claims to Medicare for unnecessary home health services for unqualified patients, or for visits that did not happen as billed, the evidence showed. Newton created and completed visit notes and other documents purporting to reflect nursing services purportedly rendered by Ferdinand Echavia with the knowledge that he was not actually providing the services. Newton was aware that Ferdinand Echavia was making cash payments to patients, which Newton knew to be illegal, the evidence showed. The evidence at trial showed that between 2011 and 2017, Medicare paid Care Specialists approximately $7 million for home healthcare services. Three other defendants have been charged in connection with the fraud at Care Specialists.
