Federal authorities charged 455 defendants across 45 states in the largest healthcare fraud crackdown in American history, announcing Tuesday that criminals allegedly stole $6.5 billion from Medicare and Medicaid programs funded by taxpayer dollars. The massive operation included charges against 10 Southern California defendants in schemes totaling nearly $300 million in fraudulent claims.

Historic Enforcement Action Targets Billions in Stolen Funds

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the nationwide operation as the greatest combined federal and state effort in combating healthcare fraud ever conducted. Prosecutors allege the defendants submitted false claims to government healthcare programs while using stolen funds to purchase luxury vehicles including a $135,000 Maserati and expensive homes. Blanche warned that fraudsters targeting American taxpayers will face asset seizures and full prosecution under federal law.

The Central District of California brought criminal charges against 10 defendants accused of defrauding government-funded healthcare programs and illegally prescribing controlled substances. Five individuals were arrested in the greater Los Angeles area for allegedly participating in a scheme involving nearly $270 million in fraudulent Medi-Cal claims for expensive prescription drugs that were either medically unnecessary or never provided to patients.

California Woman Allegedly Facilitated $178 Million Payout

Federal prosecutors charged Christina Mareik, 61, of Whittier, with healthcare fraud after her June 17 arrest. Authorities allege Mareik helped facilitate fraudulent prescriptions generating nearly $270 million in claims to Medi-Cal, which paid out more than $178 million. The claims involved expensive drugs containing low-cost generic ingredients that prosecutors say were not medically necessary or never delivered to purported recipients.

Investigators discovered Mareik sent thousands of fraudulent prescriptions to a co-conspirator and submitted false prescriptions under her own name. The scheme represents one of the largest individual fraud cases in the nationwide takedown targeting those who exploit government healthcare programs designed to serve vulnerable populations.

Hospice Fraud Ring Allegedly Stole $27 Million From Medicare

A separate 16-count indictment charged three defendants with conspiring to defraud Medicare of approximately $27 million through fraudulent hospice care billing. Oren David Shachar, 59, of Van Nuys allegedly operated hospice care companies that submitted false claims to Medicare. Abraham Shin, 66, of Corona and Jeannie Choi, 57, of Torrance face charges including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, aggravated identity theft, and violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute for their alleged roles in the scheme.

The charges reflect growing federal enforcement against fraudulent hospice operations that exploit end-of-life care programs. Prosecutors allege the defendants engaged in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property exceeding $10,000, using stolen taxpayer funds for personal enrichment while legitimate healthcare providers and patients suffered from depleted program resources.