Leigha Simonton, United States Attorney, Northern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas
Texas pharmacist Dehshid “David” Nourian has been sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison for his involvement in a $145 million scheme to defraud the Department of Labor. The sentencing, which took place on February 21, also included an order for Nourian to pay over $115 million in restitution. On March 6, the court mandated the forfeiture of $405 million in assets connected to his fraudulent activities.
Court documents revealed that Nourian, along with others, paid doctors to prescribe unnecessary compound creams to injured federal workers. These prescriptions were filled by pharmacies owned by Nourian in Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas. It was disclosed that these compounds were mixed by untrained individuals at minimal cost but billed at exorbitant rates to the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.
Matthew R. Galeotti from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division commented on the case: “Today’s 17-year sentence sends a clear message that our prosecutors... will identify, investigate, and prosecute even the most sophisticated fraud schemes that target taxpayer money and endanger patients.” He highlighted this case as having achieved "the highest forfeiture ever obtained in a health care fraud case" within the department's history.
Inspector General Tammy Hull of the U.S. Postal Service emphasized: “This sentence sends a strong message to those who would defraud our federal healthcare programs for personal gain.” She praised the collaborative efforts of legal and investigative teams in halting this extensive fraud scheme.
Between May 2014 and March 2017, Nourian's pharmacies submitted claims exceeding $145 million, receiving more than $90 million for prescriptions procured through illegal bribes. The scheme involved laundering proceeds through various holding companies while evading approximately $24 million in federal taxes.
In November 2023, a jury convicted Nourian on multiple counts including conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering. The court ordered him to forfeit assets valued at $405 million tied to these crimes.
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and IRS Criminal Investigation among others. Trial Attorney Ethan Womble and Senior Litigation Counsel Catherine Wagner led prosecution efforts alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Dimitri Rocha handling criminal forfeiture aspects.
The Fraud Section continues its efforts against health care fraud under its Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program which has charged thousands since its inception in March 2007.
