Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl announced criminal charges against Isaac Osei Afoakwa, 55, of Bismarck, North Dakota. These charges are part of the Department of Justice's 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
Afoakwa faces an indictment for false statements related to a health care benefit program, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting the preparation and presentation of a false tax return. The indictment alleges that as the owner of Bismarck Transportation Services, Afoakwa submitted $100,000 in fraudulent claims to North Dakota Medicaid for non-medical emergency transport services. Additionally, he allegedly obtained a Paycheck Protection Program loan and eight Economic Injury Disaster Loans totaling $1,615,944 fraudulently.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated: “Today’s record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown sends a crystal-clear message to criminal actors... we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” She emphasized that the administration will not tolerate misuse of taxpayer dollars.
The coordinated nationwide action resulted in charges against 324 defendants for alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in false billings and illegal drug diversion schemes involving over 15.6 million pills. The Government seized over $245 million in cash and assets during this operation.
In North Dakota, investigations were conducted with several law enforcement organizations including U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, and North Dakota Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
It is important to note that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Greenley from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota is prosecuting the case.
Further materials related to this announcement can be found on the Health Care Fraud Unit’s website.
