Fake Nurse Steals Millions From Elderly
Faith Newton Kimaru, a Kenyan-born nurse, seemed to be living the American Dream. However, her luxurious lifestyle, complete with multi-million-dollar mansions and high-end cars, was built on fraud. Kimaru and her family are at the center of a massive healthcare fraud scheme, accused of defrauding the U.S. government out of millions of dollars meant for elderly, low-income citizens, a betrayal that left these vulnerable citizens without the support they desperately needed.
A Carefully Orchestrated Scheme
Kimaru, 56, was a part owner and operator of Arbor Homecare Services LLC from January 2013 to January 2017. Kimaru carried out a scheme using her LLC to exploit the U.S. healthcare system. She targeted a program to assist the most vulnerable, elderly, and low-income Americans. She invested over $100 million into her lavish lifestyle of purchasing properties and luxury cars.
The fraudulent activities reportedly spanned several years, during which Kimaru and her accomplices meticulously orchestrated their claims to avoid detection. However, her extravagant spending eventually raised red flags, leading to a federal investigation that unraveled the entire operation.
The Legal Reckoning
The federal investigation into Kimaru resulted in healthcare fraud and money laundering charges. The prosecution argued that Kimaru systematically defrauded Medicare by billing for services that were either unnecessary or never provided. The total amount stolen is estimated at over $100 million, a significant portion of which was laundered through the purchase of real estate and luxury goods.
According to WWLP.com, "Kimaru orchestrated a massive $100 million health care fraud scheme that targeted the Medicaid program, funding her lavish lifestyle at the expense of the American taxpayers," said Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
In the courtroom, Kimaru and her employee Winnie Waruru faced a long list of evidence, including financial records, false claims, and testimony from insiders. The case has garnered significant media attention because of the staggering amount of money involved and the audacity of the fraud.
Justice Served
Kimaru has been found guilty of multiple charges, including one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, one count of healthcare fraud, and three counts of money laundering. She was acquitted of one count of money laundering conspiracy. She could face a maximum of 10 years in prison for each charge, and three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Kimaru is still awaiting sentencing.
Faith Newton Kimaru's story reminds us how unchecked greed can twist a life of promise into one of deception. What started as a seemingly successful pursuit of the American Dream quickly unraveled into a web of fraud that exploited the people she was supposed to help as a respected nurse.
References: Faith Newton Kimaru: Kenyan Nurse Accused of Healthcare Fraud Bought Multi-Million Mansion, Car Read| Conviction in multi-million dollar health care fraud| Owner of Home Health Care Company Convicted of Multimillion Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme
