United States Attorney Bart M. Davis announced on June 24 criminal charges against Niki Rashel Cook of Caldwell, Idaho, for her alleged involvement in a scheme to defraud healthcare businesses. The charges are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which targeted fraudulent activities nationwide.
According to the indictment, Cook allegedly obtained nursing jobs at various healthcare facilities by falsely representing herself as a registered nurse and licensed practical nurse. She is accused of using victims’ names and nursing licenses to secure employment at locations including a behavioral health hospital, rehabilitation hospital, skilled nursing facility, and hospice service providers. The indictment alleges she earned over $22,000 through this scheme. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darci Crane is prosecuting the case for the District of Idaho.
The Department’s coordinated enforcement action resulted in charges against 455 defendants across 56 federal districts and 45 states and territories. This included actions against 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals for their roles in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm. Authorities reported seizures totaling over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets as part of the operation.
The whole-of-government approach involved multiple agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services suspending or revoking billing privileges for thousands of providers; civil settlements totaling millions; administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration; international cooperation leading to apprehensions abroad; and participation from state Medicaid Fraud Control Units across nearly every state.
The District of Idaho collaborated with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit along with agencies including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Boise Police Department during this takedown effort. The office operates under federal authority to prosecute criminal cases throughout Idaho with about 60 staff members covering both urban centers and rural areas through its main office in Boise, according to the official website.
Davis said that these efforts support broader initiatives such as President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance: “The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people.” All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.