Anosh Ahmed, former executive at Loreto Hospital in Chicago, accused of embezzling millions from the hospital and defrauding the U.S. federal government of nearly $300 million, has been arrested in Serbia.
Ahmed was detained in Serbia on November 30. On Friday, the U.S. government formally requested his extradition, according to a court filing from Wednesday.
Ahmed remains in custody in Serbia, despite requesting on December 30 to be released to a hotel in Belgrade, which was denied. His attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ahmed had been living abroad since federal prosecutors declared him a fugitive just before the indictment was filed.
Fraud Scheme with Hospital Funds and COVID Tests
Prosecutors allege that Ahmed and his associate, Samir Suhail, together embezzled $15 million from Loreto Hospital, a taxpayer-funded facility, and steered an additional $19 million in contracts to Suhail through bribery and corruption. Suhail was Ahmed’s friend, business partner, and neighbor in Trump Tower in Chicago.
Ahmed is also charged in a separate COVID testing scheme, which defrauded the government of around $300 million. The charges followed investigative reports by Block Club Chicago that exposed the activities of Ahmed and Suhail.
Flight and International Activities
While Ahmed hid in Serbia, Suhail moved to the UAE, opening a luxury plastic surgery clinic and flaunting high-end clothing and watches on social media. Ahmed resigned from Loreto in March 2021 amid public scrutiny, then returned to Houston, where he operated nightclubs, purchased and sold multimillion-dollar properties, and launched Anosh Inc., claiming to be an investment and consulting firm. He also planned offices in Dubai.
Using stolen patient data, Ahmed allegedly submitted fraudulent COVID test reimbursement claims through O’Hare Clinical Lab, directing staff to deceive government officials.
During his fugitive period, Ahmed issued press releases with photoshopped images portraying himself as a Republican leader and attempting to attract Donald Trump’s attention, likely hoping for a pardon. He falsely claimed to be founding a PAC in Illinois, a cryptocurrency center, and an AI center in Chicago.
Luxury Properties and Assets
Prosecutors seek to seize:
- $50.5 million from Ahmed’s bank account
- $42.3 million in securities
- Luxury vehicles: Rolls-Royce Phantom (2020), Rolls-Royce Ghost (2022), Mercedes G-Class (2021), Lamborghini Huracan (2020)
- Four Houston properties
Ahmed also left unpaid debts in the U.S., including $120,000 owed to American Express and $171,000 to Cintas for services provided to his Houston nightclub.
The case had long stalled due to Ahmed’s fugitive status, but his arrest in Belgrade marks a major turning point in this multi-million-dollar scandal.
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Source: Block club Chicago