OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, United States Attorney Robert J. Troester announced criminal charges against two defendants and the filing of a separate civil case, both in the Western District of Oklahoma, in connection with the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. “Fraud against federal health care programs ultimately harms both taxpayers and the individuals these programs are designed to serve,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Through this national initiative, the Department of Justice and its partners are committed to holding accountable those who allegedly undermine the integrity of our health care system.”“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to protecting TRICARE, the U.S. Military’s healthcare program, from fraudulent schemes that harm its beneficiaries and waste critical taxpayer-provided resources,” said Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Services Southwest Field Office. “These indictments are the result of a strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma to tirelessly pursue companies and individuals that seek to enrich themselves at the expense of our military members and U.S. taxpayers.”National InitiativeThe cases announced today are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms. Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including: Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S…
Source: U.S. Department of Justice