WASHINGTON — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Tuesday that the feds have charged hundreds of defendants in recent weeks for seeking to bilk taxpayer-funded programs out of $6.5 billion.
“This announcement marks the greatest combined federal and state effort in combating health care fraud in history,” Blanche told reporters at the Department of Justice’s headquarters in DC.
“These individuals participated in health care fraud schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims submitted to Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care programs.”
In total, 455 defendants were hit with charges — including at least 90 medical professionals — and the government seized $182 million in cash and other assets from the alleged fraudsters.
One of the cases involved an Arizona-based corporate executive who purportedly took $1 billion in taxpayer funds after billing the feds for “unnecessary wound grafts,” charging up more than $1 million per patient, Blanche noted.
Along with 10 other defendants, the funds were taken to pay for high-end cars such as a $135,000 Maserati, an $865,000 Bulgari necklace, and the construction of a $4.6 million resort in the Philippines.
“We’re taking back the money, the luxury cars, the jewelry and these alleged fraudsters will face justice,” Blanche said.