Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Arrest warrant issued for former medical equipment supplier believed to have left the country

OLYMPIA — A Thurston County Superior Court Judge Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for the owner of medical supply company accused of Medicaid fraud. The warrant was requested so that the defendant can be arrested should he return to the United States.

Nnanna Mba, formerly of Puyallup, was charged with 14 counts of First Degree Theft and three counts of Second Degree theft for allegedly billing Medicaid for medical supplies that were never given to 17 Medicaid recipients between 2007 and 2010. Mba failed to appear in court, leading to the warrant for his arrest. Assistant Attorney General Dannette Allen says Mba is believed to have traveled to Nigeria.

Mba was the operator of Pacesetters Medical Equipment Supplies, based in Sumner.  Prosecutors say Mba received $106,730 in Medicaid funds through fraudulent billings.

Investigators with the Washington State Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Unit began an investigation after receiving a referral from the Health Care Authorities Medical Assistance Program.

The MFCU prosecution team consists of AAG Dannette Allen, Legal Assistant Margo Loree and Investigator Jeff Hartley.

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Contacts:
Janelle Guthrie, Director of Communications, (360) 586-0725

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