Current:Home > MyCalifornia man, woman bought gold bars to launder money in $54 million Medicare fraud: Feds -WealthMindset Learning
California man, woman bought gold bars to launder money in $54 million Medicare fraud: Feds
View
Date:2025-04-15 05:55:00
A Southern California man and woman are accused of defrauding Medicare out of more than $54 million by submitting phony claims for hospice and diagnostic testing services, and laundering the illegal funds by buying millions of dollars worth of gold coins and bars, federal authorities said.
Sophia Shaklian, 36, of Los Angeles, and Alex Alexsanian, 47, of Burbank, were arrested on Wednesday on a 24-count federal grand jury indictment, according to a Justice Department news release. Shaklian is charged with 16 counts of healthcare fraud and four counts of transactional money laundering, while Alexsanian is facing one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and three counts of concealment money laundering, federal prosecutors said.
From March 2019 to August 2024, Shaklian used aliases to submit fraudulent claims for seven healthcare providers enrolled with Medicare in Los Angeles County, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. A hospice company Shaklian owned called Chateau d’Lumina Hospice and Palliative Care and several diagnostic testing companies, including Saint Gorge Radiology and Hope Diagnostics, allegedly submitted the $54 million in bogus claims to Medicare for services that were never provided or needed, according to the release.
Court records show that neither Shaklian nor Alexsanian have legal representation.
How did Shaklian and Alexsanian allegedly launder illegal funds?
Shaklian and Alexsanian received more than $23 million in total for the claims, federal prosecutors said. Shaklian is also accused of laundering the Medicare funds paid to her hospice company by transferring them to accounts under the fake name "Varsenic Babaian," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Alexsanian allegedly instructed a foreign national to open Saint Gorge Radiology in Sylmar, California, and to acquire Medicare provider Console Hospice, the Justice Department said. Once acquired, Alexsanian took control of the companies, their bank accounts and the foreign national's personal bank accounts, according to federal prosecutors.
Alexsanian also conspired with the foreign national, who has since left the country, and others to have Saint Gorge Radiology and Console Hospice submit phony claims to Medicare for services that were not provided, according to the release. The two bought more than $6 million in gold bars and coins to launder the Medicare reimbursements and funds deposited into their accounts via the "Babaian" identity, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
If convicted, Shaklian will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years for each healthcare fraud count and up to 20 years for each money laundering count. Alexsanian could spend up to 20 years in federal prison for each count if found guilty.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Trump would veto legislation establishing a federal abortion ban, Vance says
- The Sweet Detail Justin Bieber Chose for Baby Jack's Debut With Hailey Bieber
- Loretta Lynn's granddaughter Lynn Massey dies after 'difficult' health battle
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- ‘It’s Just No Place for an Oil Pipeline’: A Wisconsin Tribe Continues Its Fight to Remove a 71-Year-Old Line From a Pristine Place
- Famed Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster is shut down after mid-ride malfunction
- How many points did Caitlin Clark score today? Fever rookie finally loses in Minnesota
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- First criminal trial arising from New Hampshire youth detention center abuse scandal starts
Ranking
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- 'The Crow' original soundtrack was iconic. This new one could be, too.
- Who climbed in, who dropped out of 30-man field for golf's 2024 Tour Championship?
- Latino voting rights group calls for investigation after Texas authorities search homes
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- They fled genocide, hoping to find safety in America. They found apathy.
- Video shows California principal's suggestive pep rally dancing. Now he's on leave.
- Lydia Ko completes ‘Cinderella-like story’ by winning Women’s British Open soon after Olympic gold
Recommendation
'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
Bachelor Nation's Kaitlyn Bristowe Alludes to Tension With Tayshia Adams Over Zac Clark
Mega Millions winning numbers for August 23 drawing; Jackpot soars to $575 million
Girl, 11, dies after vehicle crashes into tree in California. 5 other young teens were injured
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III fight card results, round-by-round analysis
National Dog Day: Want to find your new best friend? A guide to canine companionship
How women of color with Christian and progressive values are keeping the faith — outside churches