His Murder Trial Pending, Philadelphia Man Admits Medicare Fraud
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A 23-year-old Philadelphia man, charged with killing a woman and her three children while he was allegedly drag racing on Roosevelt Boulevard, has now pleaded guilty in an unrelated federal fraud case.
Khusen Akhmedov today admitted in federal court that he played a role in a Medicare fraud of more than $1.5 million.
"He recruited ambulatory dialysis patients, promised them money and free transport," says federal prosecutor M. Beth Leahy. "He also transported, by the Penn Choice ambulance, patients who could walk and could be safely tranported by other means."
Leahy says federal guidelines calls for a sentence of about 2-3 years in prison. But Akhmedov still faces murder charges, and up to life in prison, if convicted in the crash case (see related story).
Defense attorney Todd Henry says Akhmedov disputes his client was drag racing but indicates they are hoping to settle that case before it comes to trial.
"His reckless driving caused that accident and caused the deaths, unfortunately, and he has always accepted that as his responsibility," Henry said today.
The prosecutor declined comment.
