Fraud: Houston Businessman Gets More Than 8 Years

By: Associated Press

Posted: Fri 7:17 AM, Feb 10, 2012

A Houston man will be following his son to prison over a $2.3 million Texas Medicaid fraud scheme.

A federal judge on Thursday sentenced 60-year-old Bassey Essien to more than eight years in prison. Essien also must make nearly $1.5 million in restitution.

Essien formerly co-owned two durable medical equipment companies, Logic World Medical and Roben Medical.

Jurors last April convicted Essien of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, 14 counts of health care fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

His daughter, 31-year-old Rose Essien, awaits sentencing after being convicted last year of fraud and aggravated ID theft.

His son, 34-year-old Benjamin Essien, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud and ID theft and in December was sentenced to 12 years in prison. The son also must make restitution.

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Fraud: Houston Businessman Gets More Than 8 Years

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