CHICAGO — Another figure connected to the scandal-ridden Loretto Hospital on Chicago’s West Side has been indicted in a massive COVID-19 testing fraud case, marking a new chapter in the hospital’s ongoing legal woes.
Federal prosecutors announced that 35-year-old Jamil Elkoussa has been charged with five counts of wire fraud in a scheme they say attempted to extract over $200 million from the federal government through fraudulent COVID-19 testing reimbursement claims.
A Pattern of Corruption Around Loretto Hospital
This latest indictment follows multiple earlier charges against former Loretto Hospital leaders, most notably ex-CFO and COO Anosh Ahmed, who was charged last month with defrauding the government of nearly $300 million. In 2024, Ahmed and his associate Sameer Suhail were also charged with stealing $15 million from Loretto Hospital itself.
Elkoussa had close ties to Suhail, having worked for him at various businesses that had dealings with the hospital. One such company, Meridian Medical Staffing, was at the center of the current fraud allegations.
How the Alleged $200 Million Scheme Worked
According to the unsealed indictment, Elkoussa created fake data and submitted it to a laboratory, falsely claiming that Meridian had collected thousands of COVID-19 test samples.
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In reality, little to no actual testing occurred.
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The lab submitted $233 million in fraudulent claims to the federal government.
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The government paid out $154 million, and $60.3 million of that was funneled into accounts controlled by Elkoussa.
Prosecutors say Elkoussa distributed funds to personal accounts and to family and friends, disguising them as legitimate payments with falsified tax forms.
Wider Fallout at Loretto Hospital
The Loretto controversy dates back to early 2021, when Block Club Chicago first revealed the hospital was offering COVID-19 vaccinations to non-priority groups at luxury locations like Trump Tower, an upscale jewelry shop, and a steakhouse frequented by Ahmed.
Additional reporting found:
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Suhail’s companies were awarded millions in hospital contracts during Ahmed’s tenure.
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Former CEO George Miller eventually resigned in 2022 amid FBI investigations.
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In 2024, yet another former executive, Heather Bergdahl, was charged with embezzling $500,000 from Loretto.
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That same year, Miller himself was implicated in accepting $770,000 in bribes from Suhail-linked businesses.
A Troubled Network of Influence
Elkoussa’s name has appeared across multiple companies associated with Suhail, including:
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SKS Healthcare Management Group, where he became president after Suhail was removed
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American International Clinical Group
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United Healthcare Investment Group
Elkoussa also made headlines in April 2021 after accidentally shooting a family member in his home, resulting in a felony charge for reckless discharge of a firearm.
What’s Next in the Case
An arrest warrant has been issued for Elkoussa, but authorities have not confirmed whether he is currently in custody. If convicted, he faces significant federal prison time.
This latest charge adds to the growing list of alleged fraud, abuse, and mismanagement surrounding Loretto Hospital — once viewed as a vital West Side safety-net facility, now mired in scandal and federal investigations.
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