menu_open Columnists
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

From Medi-Cal fraud to a Nigerian chieftain

15 0
12.09.2026

US News Metro Long Island Politics

Sports NFL MLB Olympics NBA NHL College Football College Basketball WNBA

Entertainment TV Movies Music Celebrities Awards Theater

Lifestyle Weird But True Sex & Relationships Viral Trends Human Interest Parenting Fashion & Beauty Food & Drink Travel

Health Wellness Fitness Health Care Medicine Men’s Health Women’s Health Mental Health Nutrition

Science Space Environment Wildlife Archaeology

Today’s Paper Covers Columnists Horoscopes Crosswords & Games Sports Odds Podcasts Careers

Email Newsletters Official Store Home Delivery Tips

Switch between CA and NY editions here.

From Medi-Cal fraud to a Nigerian chieftain

See more of our coverage in your search results.

We always suspected that Medi-Cal fraud was expensive. We didn’t realize it was ridiculous.

Last week, the California Post reported on a staggering $269 million scheme run by a “mega fraudster” who ripped off the state’s version of Medicaid, which provides health coverage for the poor.

He was caught, tried, and sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.

Then Christopher F. Rufo and Madeleine Rowley of the Manhattan Institute ran an éxposé, also published in the California Post, on Nathan Ogbatue, a Nigerian chieftain who had made a fortune by charging Medi-Cal for in-home health care.

Ogbatue’s company had made very little money in California until it suddenly made tens of millions of dollars after the coronavirus pandemic.

He bought expensive real estate in Southern California and built a palace back home, where he spreads the wealth around among his grateful subjects.

He has not been accused of wrongdoing, but experts raised red flags. And he accused journalists of racism rather than defending his odd business pattern.

Medi-Cal is just one........

© New York Post