CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The United States and the State of North Carolina filed a complaint on Monday against Benson I. Ejindu, alleging that Ejindu knowingly submitted or caused false claims to be submitted to North Carolina Medicaid for more expensive medical supplies than what was provided to the Medicaid recipients, a practice known as upcoding. According to the alleged complaint, from at least May 19, 2017 through August 23, 2019, Ejindu, through a durable medical equipment business that he operated under different names, submitted false claims to North Carolina Medicaid for high-reimbursing, specialized nutritional formula for individuals with rare metabolic disorders. It alleges Ejindu knew the Medicaid recipients received lower-reimbursing Ensure, PediaSure, Boost and Glucerna drinks. "North Carolinians rely on Medicaid to pay for health care and medical supplies,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “If businesses try to make an unlawful buck off of taxpayer dollars, we’ll hold them accountable. I’m grateful to U.S. Attorney King for working with us to stop health care fraud.” Attorney General Jackson and U.S. Attorney King are seeking more than $5.5 million in damages plus substantial additional civil penalties. The federal and North Carolina False Claims Acts authorize the governments to recover triple the money falsely obtained, plus substantial civil penalties for each false claim submitted. It should be noted that the civil claims asserted in this matter are allegations only, and that there has been no judicial determination or admission of liability.  “Durable medical equipment providers that cause the government to pay more than it should for medical equipment and supplies waste taxpayers’ dollars and raise the cost of health care foreveryone,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Our Office is committed to working with the NorthCarolina Attorney General’s Office and our law enforcement partners to put a stop to improperbilling practices that exploit Medicaid, a taxpayer-funded program that many people depend onto cover their health care needs.”