Full Breakdown
Massive Health-Care Fraud Sweep Leads to Over 100 Arrests in Los Angeles
By Drooid · · How we work
Operation Overview
Federal prosecutors and the California Attorney General’s Office announced a coordinated crackdown that resulted in more than 100 arrests across the Los Angeles region. The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division described the effort as targeting “high-risk” schemes that siphoned billions from government and private health-care programs.
Individuals and Schemes
The federal indictment names 15 defendants who allegedly stole roughly $2 billion. Among them are Dr. Harold Tabaie, a 78-year-old cardiothoracic surgeon, and his partner, chiropractor Hany Malek, 61, accused of extracting $135 million from Medicare by performing unnecessary invasive plaque-clearing procedures and billing for sham services.
A father-and-son pair, David Young and Nathan Young, are charged with operating a nationwide network that trafficked vulnerable patients to Los Angeles-based substance-abuse facilities. Prosecutors say the scheme generated more than $1.6 billion by luring individuals with free travel, housing, cash, and illicit drugs, then billing private insurers for fictitious treatment.
State IHSS Fraud
Attorney General Rob Bonta reported that California authorities have arrested and charged 103 people for alleged fraud against the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, a Medi-Cal initiative that funds home care for low-income seniors and disabled residents. The alleged misconduct involved filing bogus claims and misrepresenting care hours, resulting in an estimated $4.5 million loss.
Official Statements & Responses
Bonta emphasized that, although the alleged IHSS fraud represents a small fraction of the program’s $30 billion budget, any abuse threatens funding for the state’s most vulnerable residents. Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald reiterated the federal message that individuals who steal health-care dollars or endanger patients will be pursued, with data-driven investigations guiding enforcement actions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “While the alleged fraud represents a small fraction of California's $30 billion IHSS budget, any abuse of Medi-Cal jeopardizes funding for our most vulnerable residents,” — General Rob Bonta, california attorney
- “Our message is simple: if you steal health care dollars from the American taxpayer or abuse your position to harm patients, we are coming for you, and the data will lead us to you,” — Assistant Attorney General Colin, said assistant attorney