Cal­i­fornia latest target in De­partment of Justice efforts to end public benefits fraud – Spectrum News

Cal­i­fornia latest target in De­partment of Justice efforts to end public benefits fraud  Spectrum News

More than a dozen people in Southern California were charged with allegedly siphoning nearly $2 billion in fraudulent healthcare costs. LOS ANGELES — More than a dozen people in Southern California were charged with allegedly siphoning nearly $2 billion in fraudulent healthcare costs, the Department of Justice and state prosecutors announced Thursday, as President Donald Trump’s administration ramps up efforts to end the abuse of federal aid programs. Fifteen people were charged and so far at least eight were arrested in connection with fraud at substance abuse treatment centers, hospice services and surgeons in California, prosecutors said. At least six of those charged were doctors — including one who is accused of performing unnecessary and invasive surgeries to bill Medicaid for over $130 million.

“If you treat healthcare patients as dollar bills, the Department of Justice is coming for you,” said Colin M. McDonald, assistant attorney general for the National Fraud Enforcement Division. He was flanked by FBI officials and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. The operation is the latest in a recent wave of arrests related to alleged public benefits fraud, an issue that has emerged as a cornerstone of the president's agenda throughout his second term. Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday announced a $25 million program to encourage whistleblowers to report suspected fraud in