Justice Department Cracks Down on Largest Healthcare Fraud in U.S. History

The U.S. Justice Department announced Monday that it had halted a significant healthcare fraud operation targeting the federal government. Described as the largest of its kind in U.S. history, the initiative saw criminal charges filed against 324 defendants, involving 93 healthcare professionals alongside the seizure of over $245 million in cash and luxury assets.

Matthew Galeotti, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, emphasized the operation's significance during a press conference, underscoring its role in protecting American taxpayers from fraudulent activities and maintaining the integrity of the healthcare system. Defendants stand accused of submitting false claims to Medicare and Medicaid.

Investigators revealed that transnational criminal organizations orchestrated some fraudulent schemes from abroad, notably from Russia and Eastern Europe. These operations, which included the use of foreign straw owners, resulted in charges against 19 individuals, including the theft of American identities to file fraudulent Medicare claims exceeding $10 billion.

(With inputs from agencies.)