2 charged in health care fraud scheme out of Oak Park podiatry office

OAK PARK, Mich. –  Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has announced felony charges against two Southeast Michigan men who were allegedly 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 Dr. Timothy Whiteus, 60, of Oak Park, with 19 felony charges.

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Higgwe is a former podiatrist who had his license to practice revoked in 2003. The activity in 2003 also led Higgwe to be excluded from participating in any government health care program such as Medicaid or Medicare for a period of 25 years.

Charges allege Whiteus employed Higgwe to see his patients and perform podiatric services in his Oak Park clinic despite Higgwe's excluded status and revoked license.

Higgwe also allegedly practiced podiatric medicine while sometimes presenting himself to patients as Whiteus.

Patients who believe they may have been treated by Higgwe may report it to Schuette's Health Care Fraud Division by calling 1-800-24-ABUSE.