Medical Fraud Scheme: Justice Department Charges More Than 300 People

The U.S. Justice Department brought charges Wednesday against 301 doctors, nurses and other health care professionals in connection with about $900 million in false billings, a sweeping takedown that the department says is the largest of its kind in U.S. history.

“The wrongdoers that we pursue in these operations seek to use public funds for private enrichment," U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a department press release. "They target real people — many of them in need of significant medical care. They promise effective cures and therapies, but they provide none."

The takedown included 61 doctors, and the charges include conspiracy to commit health care fraud, violations of the anti-kickback statutes, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.

The defendants allegedly billed Medicare and Medicaid for procedures and treatments that were either medically unnecessary or not provided at all.

Read more about the takedown here.

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