Ismail J. Ramsey, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian has announced criminal charges against five individuals involved in alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and other federal health care programs, as well as illegal drug diversion activities. These charges are part of the Department of Justice's 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown initiative.
The defendants are accused of various fraudulent activities, including submitting false claims for medical equipment and participating in schemes to extract funds from federally funded health insurance programs. Additionally, a nurse is charged with diverting pain medication for personal use.
“Fraud and abuse in our health care system all too often result in harm to the elderly and sick and a loss to the American taxpayer," stated United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. "The five cases announced today reflect the far-reaching impact of health care fraud and my office’s commitment to prosecuting schemes that target these vital programs.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the significance of this operation, stating, “This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers.”
In total, the nationwide enforcement action led to charges against 324 defendants allegedly involved in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes amounting to over $14.6 billion in false billings and more than 15 million illegally diverted controlled substances pills. The government seized assets valued at over $245 million during this operation.
The Northern District of California saw charges filed against several individuals:
Vincent Thayer from San Jose faces charges related to a $68 million scheme involving false claims for COVID-19 testing services. Sevendik Huseynov, residing in Sunnyvale, is charged with healthcare fraud involving durable medical equipment claims totaling more than $137 million. Clinton Johnson Christian from Fairfield is indicted for tampering with consumer products by misappropriating controlled substances for personal use.
Dr. Yasmin Pirani from British Columbia faces charges linked to a $35.2 million telemedicine fraud scheme involving unnecessary prescriptions for durable medical equipment billed to Medicare without proper patient interactions.
Patrick Omeife from Ghana is accused of laundering funds fraudulently obtained through a federal COVID-19 relief program using stolen identities.
FBI Special Agent Sanjay Virmani remarked on the broader implications: “Healthcare fraud is not a victimless crime... The FBI is committed to rooting out healthcare fraud in all its forms."
Robert Iwanicki of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations reaffirmed their commitment: “FDA is fully committed to the vigorous criminal prosecution of individuals who threaten the safety of U.S. consumers.”
These cases are being prosecuted with support from multiple law enforcement agencies across various states as part of a coordinated effort under the National Health Care Fraud Takedown initiative.
All defendants remain innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
