Wichita brothers plead guilty to defrauding the government

WICHITA, KAN. - Two Kansas men pleaded guilty to taking part in a scheme to defraud a federal health care program.

According to court documents, Todd Eck, 60, of Wichita, and Bradley Eck, 56, of Wichita, both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

From January 2017 to April 2019, Todd Eck and Bradley Eck utilized four health care related companies they created to enroll to receive Medicare reimbursements for billed medical procedures. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the Medicare Program, a federal healthcare benefits program.

The Ecks concealed their ownership and control of the businesses on the Medicare enrollment form and omitted background information about themselves. Each omission was material to determine if Todd Eck and Bradley Eck were eligible to enroll, thus, all billing reimbursements made by Medicare to the Ecks were fraudulent.

Brad Eck's license to practice chiropractic medicine was revoked by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in 2013 for gross negligence, professional incompetency, and dishonesty.

Todd Eck had his license to practice chiropractic medicine revoked by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts in 2018 for violation of an order, fraud during license renewal, practicing medicine without a license, fraudulent medical records, and failure to maintain records.

As part of the plea agreement, the Eck brothers must pay $3.4 million in restitution.

Todd Eck and Bradley Eck are scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2025. The brothers face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The U.S. Department of Defense- Defense Criminal Investigative Service and Defense Contract Audit Agency, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, and IRS-Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting the case.

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