Man accused of fraudulently treating hundreds of SC patients pleads guilty

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A man accused of stealing a South Carolina physician's identity and treating hundreds of patients has pleaded guilty.

Authorities say 51-year-old Ernest Osei Addo stole the identity of a friend who was a doctor and worked for several medical clinics before his scheme was uncovered. Police believe Addo, who was heavily in debt, was motivated by money.

Addo pleaded guilty Tuesday to using someone else's identity to commit health care fraud. He faces two years in prison and $250,000 in fines when he is sentenced in June.

He also faces state charges of practicing medicine without a license and illegally distributing controlled substances.

Addo attended medical school in Belize, but prosecutors said authorities could not independently confirm he had passed medical board examinations there.