Disbarred Texas Attorney Involved in Auto Insurance Fraud Appeals to High Court

A Houston attorney disbarred for his involvement in an auto insurance fraud scheme, has filed an appeal with the Texas Supreme Court in order to reinstate his license. He cited other cases where attorneys had committed far worse crimes and received a suspension in lieu of disbarment.

Ikechukwu Nweze, pled guilty to engaging in organized criminal activity and insurance fraud last year, according to a press release issued by the Texas Department of Insurance.

As part of his plea agreement, Nweze was placed on community supervision for four years and ordered to surrender his law license.

The attorney was part of criminal organization, according to the insurance agency, that set up fake auto accidents and medical bills.

Jesse McClure, special assistant district attorney for Harris County, is one of several prosecutors TDI has imbedded at D.A. offices around the state. He said the investigation began in 2013, after a tip from an informant. Undercover officers with DPS and Houston Police met with a Nweze associate who organized the fake car crash.

“It was elaborate,” McClure said. “The level of complexity in this criminal endeavor went beyond the typical staged accident scheme. They had co-conspirators at a local health clinic generating fake medical bills.”

Nweze was trying to collect around $56,000 in medical costs from the insurance company for just this one staged accident.

The owner of the health clinic involved, Patrick Osuagwu, pled guilty in February to insurance fraud associated with the case. After the fake accident, Osuagwu encouraged the undercover officers to fill out forms saying that they had received chiropractic treatment, when in fact they had received no medical care.

In May 2017, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed a judgment of disbarment against Nweze.