Lancaster Doctor Sought, Wife Held in Insurance Fraud Case

A Palmdale woman has been arrested and charged with nine counts of insurance fraud, conspiracy, grand theft and perjury for allegedly filing false insurance claims, officials said Wednesday.

Ruth Ekong, 61, was booked at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept.’s Lancaster station Tuesday and bail was set at $437,790, said Mike Silva, a California Department of Insurance spokesman, whose agency investigated the case.

If convicted, Ekong could face up to five years in state prison and fines of up to $50,000, Silva said.

A warrant has also been issued for the arrest of Ekong’s husband, Dr. Enobong Ekong, a cardiologist who also could face insurance fraud charges, Silva said.

Ekong could not be reached for comment Wednesday at his office at Lancaster Cardiology First Valley Medical Group.

According to insurance department investigators, the Ekongs filed a $570,000 claim in June 2000 with Safeco Insurance Company of America for vandalism to the interior of their home.

Investigators allege that Ruth Ekong caused the damage herself and that she and her husband knowingly filed a false claim, Silva said. The claim was denied.

While investigating the claim, insurance department investigators reviewed another claim Ruth Ekong had filed in July 1999 for damage to a tapestry and rug, which they are still investigating.