Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
The owner of two durable medical equipment companies has been charged in connection with a fraud scheme involving nearly $30 million. Raju Sharma, 61, from Sharon, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He was later released on conditions after an initial court appearance in Boston.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley commented on the case, stating: "As alleged, Mr. Sharma exploited vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries and defrauded the system of millions of dollars meant for legitimate medical care." She emphasized that the office will continue to hold accountable those who undermine the healthcare system for personal gain.
Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), remarked: "Today's arrest underscores HHS-OIG's commitment to protecting patients and taxpayers from fraudulent schemes that exploit our health care system and are motivated by pure greed."
Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigations Boston Division, added: "Raju Sharma apparently thought he had hit upon a surefire moneymaker when he allegedly conspired with others to fraudulently bill Medicare for almost $30 million worth of durable medical equipment."
According to charging documents, between February 2021 and February 2025, Sharma allegedly contracted telemarketing companies to generate orders for medically unnecessary DME by targeting Medicare beneficiaries. It is claimed that these orders were often unwanted or useless to patients. Additionally, it is alleged that Sharma violated the Anti-Kickback Statute by paying marketing companies based on leads or orders rather than a flat fee as agreed.
Sharma is also accused of working with co-conspirators to open additional DME companies operating similarly. These companies allegedly billed Medicare approximately $29.6 million and received payments totaling about $15.8 million.
The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, supervised release for up to three years, and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Foley along with HHS-OIG SAC Coviello and FBI SAC Cohen. The United States Marshals and Sharon Police Department provided assistance in the case being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Graber and Sarah Hoefle.
It is important to note that these are allegations, and Sharma is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
