US officials have arrested a United States–based Nigerian businessman, Cashmir Chinedu Luke, over allegations that he fraudulently obtained more than $7 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Mr. Luke — identified as the CEO of Four Corners Health LLC, a Fresno-based home health care company — was taken into custody on Wednesday at San Francisco International Airport while preparing to board a flight to Nigeria.
The DOJ alleges that between December 2019 and July 2024, Mr. Luke, who is believed to be 66, oversaw the submission of thousands of false claims for in-home care services purportedly provided to elderly veterans under the Veterans Community Care Program. Court filings state that Four Corners Health offered unskilled nursing and daily assistance services across several California counties, including Fresno, Tulare, Merced, Mariposa, Madera, San Francisco, and Contra Costa.
Investigators allege that approximately 10,000 claims for payment were submitted for services that were not rendered, including claims for days when caretakers were reportedly absent, hours of care that exceeded actual work performed, and services allegedly billed for veterans who had already passed away. The VA reportedly reimbursed Four Corners Health more than $7 million during the period under investigation.
Prosecutors further allege that Mr. Luke, as the company’s sole owner and billing representative, continued the scheme by misleading the VA’s third-party benefits administrator when it sought to recover some of the questioned payments. The statement also claims that funds received from the VA were quickly spent on personal expenses or transferred across various bank accounts in Asia and Africa.
The DOJ confirmed that the case stems from an investigation by the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin Lee is handling the prosecution.
If convicted, Mr. Luke faces a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. However, sentencing would be at the discretion of the court and guided by federal sentencing rules.
Authorities emphasize that the charges remain allegations, and Mr. Luke is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
