The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a strategically planned, two-week-long nationwide law enforcement operation that resulted in criminal charges being brought against 78 defendants for their alleged involvement in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes that included more than $2.5 billion in alleged fraud.
“These enforcement actions, including against one of the largest health care fraud schemes ever prosecuted by the Justice Department, represent our intensified efforts to combat fraud and prosecute the individuals who profit from it,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a June 28 DOJ press release.
The individuals allegedly defrauded disabled- and elderly care programs, in some cases using money netted from the scheme to purchase expensive cars, jewelry and boats; the release said. The DOJ seized money, vehicles and real estate as part of the operation.
“This nationwide enforcement action demonstrates that the Criminal Division is committed to fighting health care fraud and opioid abuse by prosecuting those who allegedly exploit patients and health care benefit programs for personal gain,” Kenneth Polite Jr., assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, said in the release. “Today’s announcement includes some of the largest and most complex cases that the Department has prosecuted, and demonstrates the Department’s commitment to seeking justice for those at all levels of the healthcare industry who put profits above patient care, from professionals in doctors’ offices to executives in corporate boardrooms.”
The operation also resulted in charges against 11 individuals who allegedly submitted more than $2 billion in fraudulent claims stemming from telemedicine schemes, the release said. Michael Missal, inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), noted that the scheme put vital benefits at risk.
“The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs provides community health care to family members of our nation’s disabled or deceased veterans, and the defendants’ alleged criminal actions resulted in a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme that puts those benefits at risk and pilfers significant taxpayer funds,” Missal said in the release. “The VA-OIG’s continued oversight of VA’s multiple healthcare programs, including CHAMPVA, is one of the agency’s highest priorities. We thank our outstanding law enforcement partners for their efforts in this investigation.”
