Ethiopia: Two Ethiopian sisters arrested in U.S-report

(SomaliNet) A report has revealed that two Ethiopian sisters residing in the US were arrested on Sunday for what a news report said was a \"Medical ID Theft\" & insurance fraud case.

The report, citing US Attorney General Tom Corbett, identified the defendants as Tirhas Mekonnen, 26, of Wilmington, Delaware, along with her sister Woinshet Mekonnen, 34.

\"Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General\'s Insurance Fraud Section have filed criminal charges against two sisters accused of switching identities to secure nearly $30,000 in medical insurance coverage for a surgical procedure performed at a Philadelphia hospital,\" the report said.

Tirhas Mekonnen allowed her sister, Woinshet, to use her medical insurance identification cards in order to have a surgical procedure performed in Philadelphia, the report read.

The report further said the sisters conspired to switch identities in the belief that the medical insurance system could be easily manipulated, and also because Woinshet Mekonnen preferred to have the surgery performed in the U.S. rather than in Ethiopia.

\"Insurance fraud schemes, including medical ID Theft, ultimately take money out of the pockets of every Pennsylvania resident, boosting insurance premiums for employers and employees alike,\" Corbett was quoted as saying.

\"Fraudulent claims are a driving force behind the increased cost of health insurance and the Attorney General\'s Insurance Fraud Section is committed to identifying and prosecuting the individuals who orchestrate these scams,\" he added, according to the report.

Woinshet Mekonnen utilized her sisters\' insurance to cover all of her medical expenses incurred during and after the surgery, ultimately resulting in a bill of in excess of $29,000 being submitted to Blue/Cross and Blue Shield by Northeastern Hospital in Philadelphia.

Multiple doctors and home health care workers treated Woinshet Mekonnen, holding herself out as her sister, said the report citing the criminal complaint.

The defendants are each charged with two counts of insurance fraud, one count of conspiracy, and one count of theft by deception, all third-degree felonies which are each punishable by up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines.

Tirhas Mekonnen and Woinshet Mekonnen were both arrested in Wilmington, Delaware by officers from the Wilmington Police Department, who assisted the Attorney General\'s Insurance Fraud Section.

Both defendants are currently free on $10,000 cash bail, awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.
An extradition hearing is scheduled for March 24, 2008, in Wilmington.

A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.-Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)