A federal judge in New Bern, North Carolina, has sentenced four individuals involved in a $12.7 million Medicaid fraud scheme to more than 14 years in prison combined. The scheme involved paying over $1 million in illegal kickbacks to patients with substance abuse issues and resulted in the permanent closure of Life Touch, LLC, a purported substance abuse facility operating in Kinston and Goldsboro.
According to court documents, Keke Komeko Johnson of Goldsboro; Francine Sims Super of Kinston; Brandon Eugene Sims of Manvel, Texas; and Kimberly Mable Sims of Snow Hill were behind the fraudulent operation at Life Touch and 1st Choice Healthcare Services. From 2018 to 2023, Johnson and Super oversaw payments that lured patients to attend costly services billed to Medicaid. Kimberly Sims owned 1st Choice Healthcare and paid kickbacks for fake lab services ordered by Life Touch. Brandon Sims received millions from the operation but did not report or pay taxes on these earnings.
The investigation revealed that Johnson and Super deceived North Carolina Medicaid during multiple audits by falsifying documents. Johnson also lied about the use of gift cards as kickbacks during a civil investigation while serving as compliance officer for Life Touch. Super was the office manager at the time.
Federal agents seized more than $6 million in cash, real estate, vehicles—including a Rolls Royce Cullinan—and other assets connected to the case. In November 2023, Brandon Sims withdrew over $1 million in cash from his bank account after learning about the criminal investigation and hid it at his home before it was seized.
Sentencing included six years each for Johnson and Super in federal prison along with restitution payments exceeding $15 million each to North Carolina Medicaid and additional amounts to the IRS for tax violations. Kimberly Sims was sentenced to two years in prison with over $2 million owed collectively to Medicaid and the IRS. Life Touch itself was fined $15 million, ordered dissolved, given five years’ probation, and required to repay nearly $13 million to North Carolina Medicaid. Brandon Sims received two-and-a-half years plus six months in prison with nearly $1.9 million owed in restitution to the IRS.
“Healthcare Fraud robs American taxpayers and betrays the very programs meant to protect our most vulnerable citizens. In this case, more than $12 million was stolen by these defendants directly from those who need it most,” said Reid Davis, FBI Special Agent in Charge North Carolina. “These defendants now face more than 170 months in federal prison, over $30 million in restitution to North Carolina Medicaid, and a $15 million fine. This outcome sends a clear message: those who defraud public healthcare programs will be held accountable.”
“Fraud against our healthcare and tax systems is a crime and betrays public trust,” said Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Charlotte Field Office. “Tax evasion depletes resources intended for those in need and compromises our communities. IRS-CI special agents, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other partners, will continue to target those who exploit federal programs for personal gain, ensuring taxpayer funds are protected.”
“These defendants orchestrated an egregious scheme involving illegal kickbacks, placing greed above patient care. Fraudulent operations like this undermine the availability of federal health care program funds intended to support millions of beneficiaries,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly Blackmon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “Together with our law enforcement partners, HHS‑OIG will continue to safeguard the integrity of Medicaid and other federally funded health care programs.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced sentencing following an investigation led by multiple agencies including FBI Charlotte Field Office’s Public Corruption Unit; IRS Criminal Investigation; HHS-OIG; North Carolina Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Investigations Division; Assistant U.S Attorney William M Gilmore; Special Assistant U.S Attorney Tasha Gardner prosecuted.
