Federal Investigation Leads To 91 Arrests In Billing Fraud Scheme
By Martinian & Associates Inc.
Oct. 9, 2012 9:42a
16 Health Care Providers In Los Angeles Charged With Defrauding Federal Government
In a massive case that reaches across the United States, the FBI arrested 91 suspects in connection with false billing and healthcare fraud schemes. The total damages alleged by officials are thought to be as much as $430 million in fraudulent medical bills. The arrests included sixteen suspects in Los Angeles alone.
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation claim that, as part of the special Medical Care Strike Force formed in 2007, investigators have discovered pervasive fraud, including widespread misreporting of expenses by medical care professionals. The latest sweep includes a scheme by four health care providers in Los Angeles accused of falsely charging the government for ambulance trips that were not medically necessary. The false ambulance scheme is estimated to have cost the government $49.2 million, the single largest instance of alleged ambulance fraud the strike force has ever uncovered.
In addition, twelve more suspects from Los Angeles were arrested as part of the investigation, totaling $53.8 million in supposed health care fraud. The suspects included a physical therapist and three doctors, all of whom have been accused of making false reports of medical expenses.
Federal Case Reaches Across State Lines
Investigators also arrested a large number of allegedly fraudulent health care providers in other cities, including a Chicago dermatologist who reportedly falsely billed the government for millions of dollars of laser surgery procedures. Indictments were unsealed on October 3rd, reporting as much as $230 million of home medical care fraud, and an additional $100 million of damages caused by community healthcare plots. Suspects were arrested in California, Florida, Illinois, Texas, and New York.
According to testimony and records filed by members of the Medical Care Strike Force, since their founding five years ago they have discovered as much as $4.8 billion in damages and false reports. Including the latest sting, federal investigators have charged more than 1,400 defendants with involvement in fraud.
Seek Help From A Criminal Defense Lawyer Before It Is Too Late
If you have been accused of a white-collar crime such as fraud, especially if the federal government is involved, the consequences you face are extremely dire. At the law offices of Martinian & Associates our legal team has earned a reputation for skilled representation of clients in a number of areas of criminal law. With the help of an attorney with our firm, you can fight your charges and seek the best outcome possible! Visit our website to discuss the details of your case with a trained professional right away.
