Dozens have been arrested in what the federal government is calling the largest Medicare fraud scam in U.S. history, the Associated Press reports.
Seventy-three people have been arrested in New York City, Los Angeles, New Mexico and Ohio and charged with cheating the federal health care program out of $163 million.
The Daily News reports that 10 of the defendants were charged with fraud in Los Angeles as part of a scam to steal $8 million from the taxpayer-funded Medicare program.
Federal authorities continue to crackdown on health care fraud, which they have labeled the nation's most lucrative federal crime. "Health care fraud that targets the Medicare program makes victims of all Americans," said Steven Martinez, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles office. "The identity theft of the elderly and the disabled that facilitates many health care schemes is particularly depraved."
The suspects are accused of using the stolen identities of doctors and patients to bill Medicare for services never rendered. Bank accounts were also opened so that Medicare could deposit money.
These cases are incredibly complex and being wrongly accused can have a devastating impact on the reputation of a doctor or legitimate health care facility. While federal authorities have put more emphasis on such cases, they have not always dedicated more manpower and resources. A report by 60 Minutes found that health care fraud was more lucrative than the drug trade in South Florida and yet the federal government had dedicated fewer than 5 investigators to handle the entire southern region of the state.
Anyone facing such charges should consult a Los Angeles federal criminal defense lawyer immediately. Only a defense firm with experience handling financial fraud crimes in federal court should defend clients facing these types of complex charges.
If you are facing criminal charges in Los Angeles or the surrounding area, contact Rodriguez, Lewis & Kahn for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
