LOS ANGELES – The owner-operator of hospices in West Covina was arrested Tuesday for allegedly billing more than $4.8 million in bogus claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary services and paying kickbacks to marketers to procure patients.

Normita Sierra, 71, of West Covina, is charged with nine counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy, and four counts of illegal remuneration for health care referrals, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Also arrested Tuesday was Rowena Elegado, 55, also of West Covina, who is charged with one count of conspiracy and four counts of illegal remuneration for health care referrals, federal prosecutors said.

According to the indictment, Sierra owned and operated Golden Meadows Hospice Inc. and D’Alexandria Hospice Inc., which billed Med

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