California Health Care CEO Cashmir Chinedu Luke Arrested at Airport While Attempting to Fly to Nigeria Over Alleged $7M VA Fraud

A California health care executive was taken into custody at San Francisco International Airport after authorities alleged he attempted to board a flight to Nigeria while facing a federal fraud investigation. Cashmir Chinedu Luke, CEO of Four Corners Health LLC, is accused of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar scheme that targeted the Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the complaint alleges Luke fraudulently secured more than $7 million in payments for services that were never provided, including care billed for veterans who had already passed away. Investigators say the scheme ran from late 2019 through mid-2024, covering operations across several California counties, including Fresno, Tulare, Merced, Mariposa, Madera, San Francisco, and Contra Costa.

Prosecutors assert that Luke submitted about 10,000 false claims, charging for hours not worked, days when caretakers were not present, and duplicate services. As the sole owner and billing representative for Four Corners, he is accused of misleading the VA’s third-party administrator to prevent recovery of improper payments. Authorities say he personally benefited from the reimbursements, spending heavily on personal expenses and routing funds through accounts in Asia and Africa.

The investigation was conducted by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin Lee. If convicted, Luke could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, though final sentencing would depend on federal guidelines and judicial discretion.

Officials emphasized that the charges remain allegations and that Luke is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Court documents note he was born in Nigeria, immigrated to the United States in 1982, became a citizen in 1984, and legally changed his name to Cashmir Luke in 1996.