By Sylvester Mwale –
THE United States (USA) is still pushing for the extradition of a 34-year-old Zambian woman wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to face fraud charges involving about US$600,000.
Patricia Chisanga, daughter of business consultant Patrick Chisanga, is wanted by the FBI after escaping the dragnet last year as authorities tried to arrest her on accusations of defrauding Medicaid in the District of Columbia.
US Embassy public affairs officer, Janet Deutsch said in response to a Press query that the US government had engaged its Zambian counterparts to extradite the fugitive.
In a brief statement, Ms Deutsch said: “The Embassy of the United States of America is working together with the Government of the Republic of Zambia to follow all necessary procedures related to the United States’ request for the extradition of Patricia Chisanga.
The embassy initially contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Patricia’s case on December 12, 2012 but it is not clear whether or not the Zambian Government is willing to handover its citizen.
There is also another diplomatic note dated February 21, 2013 where the US Embassy again requested the extradition of Patricia in relation with the charges of massive fraud of the public medical system of the United States (Medicare).
The note was copied to the Ministry of Home Affairs as well.
Apart from the FBI, Patricia is being hunted by a number of American criminal and civil authorities and the embassy has provided the Zambian Government with copies of her indictment as well as the arrest warrant and Interpol red notice.
Home Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Moses Suwali said recently that he was not aware about the status of Patricia but promised to follow up the matter.
On November 7, 2012, Patricia was indicted on charges of healthcare fraud and conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.
Authorities say that she and her boyfriend, Ben Odunzeh, believed to be a Nigerian, opened and ran Emerald Medical Services on Georgia Avenue where she was listed as vice-president of the institution.
The two had between 2008 and 2011 allegedly defrauded the DC Medicaid programme and hundreds of needy clients to the tune of $525,000.
