Today, Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar revealed criminal charges against five individuals and one company in Eastern North Carolina. These charges relate to alleged fraudulent activities targeting Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurance carriers. The announcement is part of the Department of Justice's 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
The accusations involve Medicaid kickbacks for substance abuse services and false billing for durable medical equipment under Medicare. Acting U.S. Attorney Bubar emphasized that "fraud against our healthcare system is not a victimless crime – it threatens patient care, burdens taxpayers, and undermines trust in critical programs."
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that the takedown sends a strong message to those exploiting vulnerable citizens and taxpayers: "we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
This nationwide enforcement action has resulted in charges against 324 defendants accused of health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended losses and illegal drug diversions exceeding 15 million pills. Over $245 million in assets have been seized.
In addition to these cases, convictions were announced for healthcare practitioners linked to improper billing practices by Raleigh-based providers Our Treatment Center and Partners Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Tasha C. Gardner is prosecuting these cases alongside the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Investigations Division.
Kelly J. Blackmon from HHS-OIG highlighted their commitment to investigating fraud allegations with law enforcement partners. FBI Charlotte's Acting Special Agent James C. Barnacle Jr., IRS Criminal Investigation's Richard Gaskins, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, VA OIG’s Nate Landkammer also reiterated their dedication to tackling healthcare fraud.
The cases are prosecuted by various U.S Attorneys’ Offices across numerous districts with support from State Attorneys General’s Offices using data analytics from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team.
