PHOENIX — A San Tan Valley woman has agreed to pay nearly $55 million in restitution after she was accused of defrauding Arizona's Medicaid system.
Rita Anagho pleaded guilty this week in federal court to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, records show.
Starting in 2022, the defendant operated Tusa Intergrated Clinic, which purportedly provided treatment services for alcohol and drug addiction.
The defendant admitted to partaking in a scheme targeting Native American residents enrolled in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System by paying "illegal kickbacks" to owners of sober living facilities, the signed plea agreement states.
Anagho would then submit fraudulent claims to AHCCCS, sometimes claiming a patient was receiving 14 hours of treatment per day. The defendant was additionally accused of conspiring to alter or falsify therapy notes to create the appearance patients were receiving care at times when they weren't, records show.
AHCCCS paid out nearly $55 million to the Tusa clinic and the defendant used these funds on real estate, vehicles, gambling and paying kickbacks, according to the plea document.
AHCCCS suspended Anagho in March 2023 as several other providers were being suspended by state officials. The Arizona Board of Nursing revoked Anagho's certification last year.
As part of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to forfeit assets including a property in San Tan Valley and a hospital in Florence.
Anagho is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 11.
RELATED: Hospital fraud: Arizona woman sentenced for getting care under stolen identity
RELATED: Indictment charges 20 people in AHCCCS fraud case
Watch 12News for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12+ app!
The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.
12+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12+ app to add to your account, or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.