A federal jury convicted Shiva Akula, age 67, of New Orleans, of healthcare fraud related to fraudulent claims billed to Medicare. Akula owned and oversaw the day-to-day operations of Canon Healthcare, LLC, a hospice facility with offices in the New Orleans area, Baton Rouge, Covington, and Gulfport, Mississippi. Between January 2013 and December 2019, Canon’s New Orleans area office billed Medicare approximately $62 million and was paid approximately $47 million. The jury convicted Akula on all 23 counts of healthcare fraud charged in the indictment. As to each of the 23 counts of healthcare fraud, Akula may receive a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Judge Africk scheduled sentencing in this case for February 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
