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Michigan Unlicensed Doctor Scam Charges

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced felony charges against two Southeast Michigan men for their involvement in an alleged health care fraud scheme. Golden Higgwe, a former podiatrist with a revoked medical license, was charged with 20 felonies for practicing podiatry and impersonating a doctor at Dr. Timothy Whiteus' clinic. Dr. Whiteus was charged with 19 felonies for employing Higgwe, despite his revoked license, and billing insurances for services Higgwe provided while impersonating Dr. Whiteus. Both men were arrested, arraigned, and are scheduled for a preliminary exam on felony charges including racketeering, health care fraud, and Medicaid fraud.

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170 views2 pages

Michigan Unlicensed Doctor Scam Charges

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced felony charges against two Southeast Michigan men for their involvement in an alleged health care fraud scheme. Golden Higgwe, a former podiatrist with a revoked medical license, was charged with 20 felonies for practicing podiatry and impersonating a doctor at Dr. Timothy Whiteus' clinic. Dr. Whiteus was charged with 19 felonies for employing Higgwe, despite his revoked license, and billing insurances for services Higgwe provided while impersonating Dr. Whiteus. Both men were arrested, arraigned, and are scheduled for a preliminary exam on felony charges including racketeering, health care fraud, and Medicaid fraud.

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Michigan News
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STATE OF MICHIGAN

BILL SCHUETTE
ATTORNEY GENERAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Joy Yearout
JULY 15, 2014 517-373-8060
www.michigan.gov/AGPress
-MORE-
Schuette Announces Felony Charges in
Southeast Michigan Unlicensed Doctor Scam
Charges Allege Man With Revoked License Practiced Medicine
Illegally, Impersonated Doctor

LANSING Michigan Attorney General, Bill Schuette, today announced felony charges
against two Southeast Michigan men alleged to have been involved in a health care fraud
scheme. Schuette has charged Golden Higgwe, 62, of Dearborn Heights, with 20 felony charges
related to the scheme, and physician, Dr. Timothy Whiteus, 60, of Oak Park, with 19 felony
charges.
Ensuring integrity in our health care system is critical to the safety of Michigan
citizens, said Schuette. Anyone attempting to break the law at the expense of patients will be
identified and prosecuted.
Higgwe is a former podiatrist who had his license to practice podiatry revoked in 2003.
This activity in 2003 also led to Higgwe being excluded from participation in any government
health care program, such as Medicaid and Medicare for a period of 25 years.
Charges allege Dr. Whiteus employed Higgwe to see patients and perform podiatric
services at his Oak Park clinic despite Higgwes excluded status and revoked license. Higgwe
allegedly practiced podiatric medicine while sometimes presenting himself to patients as Dr.
Whiteus. Government and private insurance were billed for this work as if Dr. Whiteus
performed it.
Schuette filed the following charges against Higgwe for his role in the scam:
One count of Conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a 20-year felony
and/or up to a $100,000 fine;
Schuette Announces Felony Charges in Southeast Michigan Unlicensed Doctor Scam
July 15, 2014
Page 2

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One count of Unauthorized Practice of a Health Profession, a 4-year felony and/or
up to a $5,000;
Thirteen counts of Health Care Fraud, a 4-year felony and/or up to a $50,000 fine;
and,
Five counts of Medicaid Fraud, a 4-year felony and/or up to a $50,000 fine.
Schuette filed the following charges against Dr. Whiteus:
One count of Conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a 20-year felony
and/or up to a $100,000 fine;
Thirteen counts of Health Care Fraud, a 4-year felony and/or up to a $50,000 fine;
and,
Five counts of Medicaid Fraud, a 4-year felony and/or up to a $50,000 fine.
On July 10, 2014, Higgwe was arrested by Attorney General investigators and was
arraigned before Judge Andrea Larkin in Ingham Countys 54B District Court on July 11, 2014.
Higgwe was assigned a $50,000 cash or surety bond at arraignment.
On July 11, 2014, Attorney General investigators arrested Dr. Whiteus and was arraigned
that afternoon also before Judge Larkin. Dr. Whiteus was assigned a $50,000 cash or surety bond
at arraignment.
Both defendents are due next in court for a preliminary exam on July 25, 2014 at 9:00
A.M. before Judge Larkin.
Patients who believe they may have been treated by Higgwe may report it to Schuettes
Health Care Fraud Division by calling 1-800-24-ABUSE.
Schuette added, I would like to thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Office of Inspector General, for their valuable and ongoing assistance on this case.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent
unless proven guilty.

Defendant last names pronounced: Hig-WAY, WHITE-us

[Attachments: Defendant Mugshots]

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