Three Wichitans face Medicare fraud indictment | The Wichita Eagle

Three people from Wichita face federal charges of Medicare fraud through the illegal sale of motorized wheelchairs.

A federal grand jury indicted Steven J. Palacioz, 59, the owner of Advanced Medical Concepts, 7718 W. Douglas, along with Veneda Brown, 38, and Bonita Regina Carter, 51.

The indictment, announced Tuesday by U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom, contends Palacioz unlawfully paid Brown more than $48,000 and Carter more than $46,000 to refer Medicare recipients to his business.

Palacioz sought reimbursement from Medicare even though he knew the recipients were not qualified to receive the wheelchairs, according to the charges.

From 2002 through 2006, the indictment alleges, Medicare paid Palacioz more than $2.4 million.

If convicted, the three could face five to 10 years in prison.