title: U.S. Attorney Moore Capito Announces Fraud Conspiracy Charges Against Sober Living Home Founder and Spouse

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Moore Capito announced criminal charges today alleging Raymond C. Meadows II and his wife Helen Crutcher Meadows conspired to commit wire fraud through their roles at Lifehouse Inc., a nonprofit, long-term, faith-based substance abuse recovery program headquartered in Huntington. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. “As alleged in the criminal complaints, these defendants viewed West Virginia’s addiction crisis not as a tragedy, but as an opportunity,” Capito said. “While families buried loved ones, communities fought to save lives, and taxpayers funded efforts to combat substance abuse, they allegedly exploited the system for personal gain. The damage from conduct like this extends far beyond dollars and cents — it robs communities of resources, undermines recovery efforts, and betrays public trust. We will continue to pursue fraudsters who enrich themselves through the misery of others and hold them fully accountable.” Capito also announced a $120,000 civil settlement that resolves allegations involving claims submitted by West Virginia Sleep Centers LLC, a Beckley sleep laboratory, to Medicaid and the Veterans Administration Community Health program. The charges and settlement announced today by Capito 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. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers. Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million. 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025. The following individuals were charged in the Southern District of West Virginia: Raymond “Rocky” Meadows II, 52, of Huntington, West Virginia, was charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud [18 U.S.C. § 1349]. As alleged in the complaint, Meadows, was founder and director of Lifehouse, Inc., a non-profit, long-term, faith-based substance abuse recovery program headquartered in Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia. Lifehouse served as a sober living community and received expense reimbursements through both state and federal government grant programs. Meadows conspired with his wife and another individual to falsify and submit timesheets to a testing laboratory for drug testing work not actually performed. The scheme included Meadows’s wife routinely billing 32 hours of overtime each week for months at a time, as well as billing for hours when she was with him on out-of-state vacations. The laboratory issued payments based on the fraudulent billings and subsequently obtained reimbursement from federal and state healthcare programs. The case is being prosecuted by AUSA Jonathan T. Storage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Helen Crutcher Meadows, 49, of Tampa, Florida, was charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud [18 U.S.C. § 1349]. As alleged in the complaint, Meadows was the collector supervisor at Lifehouse, Inc., a non-profit, long-term, faith-based substance abuse recovery program headquartered in Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia. Lifehouse served as a sober living community and received expense reimbursements through both state and federal government grant programs. Meadows was also the wife of Lifehouse founder and director Raymond Meadows. She conspired with her husband and another individual to falsify and submit timesheets to a testing laboratory for drug testing work not actually performed. The scheme consisted of Helen Meadows routinely billing 32 hours of overtime each week for months at a time, as well as billing for hours when she was with her husband, Raymond Meadows, on out-of-state vacations. The laboratory issued payments based on the fraudulent billings and subsequently obtained reimbursement from federal and state healthcare programs. The case is being prosecuted by AUSA Jonathan T. Storage of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. The following settlement was announced in the Southern District of West Virginia: West Virginia Sleep Centers, LLC, a West Virginia sleep laboratory located in Beckley, West Virginia, reached a civil settlement to pay $120,000 to resolve allegations that the company submitted claims for payment to Medicaid and the Veterans Administration Community Health program for sleep studies and polysomnogram reports that were prepared and signed by unqualified, non-physician staff during the period from January 1, 2016 through January 9, 2020. The case was settled by AUSA Gregory P. Neil of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virgina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here . The Southern District of West Virginia, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the West Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Huntington Police Department. On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. ###


title: Connecticut Lab and its Owner Pay Over $145K to Settle Allegations of Medicaid Enrollment Fraud

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that COASTAL DIAGNOSTICS, LLC, a reference laboratory located in Branford, and its owner, TRICIA CONROY, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and have paid $145,720 to resolve allegations they made material misrepresentations to the Connecticut Medicaid program in their Provider Enrollment Application. In order to participate in the Connecticut Medicaid program, providers must complete a Provider Enrollment Application. On or about March 6, 2024, Conroy, on behalf of Coastal Diagnostics, completed and submitted a Provider Enrollment Application to the Connecticut Medicaid program. One of the questions in the application asks: “Are any owners, partners, members, officers, directors, shareholders, or managing employees of applicant related by family, marriage, ownership, membership, control, or business relationship to any other provider that is currently, or within the last 5 years, has been, enrolled in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program?” Conroy answered “No” to this question. The United States and the State of Connecticut contend that this was a material misrepresentation, as Genco Lab, LLC, a reference laboratory located at the same business address as Coastal Diagnostics, was a Medicaid provider at the time. Genco Lab was owned by Conroy’s husband, and Conroy served as the Chief Operating Officer of Genco Lab. If the question had been answered truthfully and Coastal Diagnostics had disclosed its relationship with Genco Lab, Connecticut Medicaid would not have approved Coastal Diagnostics’ application because, at the time, Genco Lab was under a payment suspension and was being investigated for fraud. After Coastal Diagnostics began submitting claims for laboratory services, Connecticut Medicaid learned that Coastal Diagnostics and Genco Lab were related and terminated Coastal Diagnostics’ provider agreement. Based on the above, the U.S. and the State of Connecticut contend that the claims submitted by Coastal Diagnostics were false and fraudulent. To resolve the government’s claims, Coastal Diagnostics and Conroy agreed to pay $145,720, which covers the time-period from March 6, 2024, to June 3, 2024. In 2025, Genco Lab and its owners entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they paid $1,255,825 to settle allegations that they submitted false and fraudulent claims to government health care programs for medically unnecessary urine drug tests. This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot and by Assistant Attorney General Christine Miller of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General. This announcement is part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown , a coordinated enforcement action involving 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. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers. Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million. 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 777-6311.


title: Subway Arsonist Sentenced To 66 Months In Prison For Lighting Sleeping Man On Fire

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today that HIRAM CARRERO was sentenced to 66 months in prison for setting fire to a man who was sleeping on a New York City subway car. CARRERO previously pled guilty to arson on March 5, 2026, and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman. “Setting fire to another person is a breathtaking, horrific, and unconscionable crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Thanks to first responders and the women and men of the NYPD and the FDNY, the victim’s life was saved, and a horrific tragedy was averted. Subway safety is front of mind for our Office, the NYPD, and our federal partners. Today’s sentence demonstrates that anyone who terrorizes New Yorkers on the subway or anywhere else will face swift justice.” According to documents filed in this case and statements made in related court proceedings: In the early morning hours of December 1, 2025, CARRERO boarded a New York City subway car at the 34 th Street – Penn Station subway stop. He picked up a piece of paper (depicted in the screenshot below) and used it to set fire to a man asleep on the train. CARRERO stepped back onto the platform as the doors closed, leaving the victim locked inside the car to burn as the train departed. Video from inside the train car shows that as the train traveled north towards the next station, the fire flared up, engulfing the victim’s legs and a portion of the train car in flames. When the train arrived at 42 nd Street – Times Square, the victim emerged, burning from the train (depicted in a screenshot below). Minutes later, first responders at the station rushed to extinguish the flames. The victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition after sustaining life-threatening injuries from the fire. * * * In addition to his prison sentence, CARRERO, 19, of New York, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution. Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New York City Police Department and the New York City Fire Department Fire Marshals. The case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Molis is in charge of the prosecution.


component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Today, United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announced criminal charges against four defendants in connection with two separate schemes to commit health care fraud. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to rooting out health care fraud and prosecuting the criminals who perpetrate these crimes. These fraud schemes are dangerous and often result in physical and emotional harm to patients, including through medically unnecessary treatment or the failure to provide the correct treatment,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect the integrity of our health care programs.” The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Muldrow 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. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers. Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million. 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025. The following individuals were charged in the District of Puerto Rico: Josué Saez Rodríguez and Chancey Irmaries Olmed Pérez in Criminal Case 26-239 (FAB); and Carlos Andrés Rendón Bermúdez and Jandiel Santos Rodríguez in Criminal Case 26-240 (GMM). Josué Saez Rodríguez, 42, and Chancey Irmaries Olmed Pérez, 40, both of Comerío, Puerto Rico, were charged by Indictment with 18 U.S.C. § 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud), and 21 U.S.C. § 331(k) (Misbranding of Drugs) in connection with a conspiracy and scheme and artifice to defraud which involved the advertising, communication, sale, and distribution of products for defendants’ financial gain and profit which defendants were not authorized to possess and distribute. The products included Semaglutide, Mounjaro, Steroids, and Tirzepatide. Saez Rodríguez was also charged with 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney José A. Contreras of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico. Carlos Andrés Rendón Bermúdez, 32, of Columbus, Ohio, and Jandiel Santos Rodríguez, 22, of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, were charged by Indictment with 18 U.S.C. § 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1341 (Mail Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud), and 21 U.S.C. § 331(k) (Misbranding of Devices) in connection with a scheme and artifice to defraud to perform dental services without proper licensing. Rendón Bermúdez was also charged with 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2) (False Statements). As alleged in the Indictment, Rendón Bermúdez performed dental procedures on patients without a valid license to practice dentistry. These procedures included application of braces, teeth whitening, dental cleaning, veneer application, and cavities. He also grinded patients’ teeth using an electric grinding tool, administered anesthesia to patients, and provided prescription antibiotics following dental procedures. Santos Rodríguez was Rendón Bermúdez’s representative in Puerto Rico and coordinated dental appointments. He advertised dental services on social media and falsely told patients that Rendón Bermúdez was a licensed dentist. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jose A. Contreras of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico. “Health care fraud threatens both public resources and public safety,” said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “When individuals abuse health care programs for financial gain, they jeopardize critical services, exploit vulnerable populations, and erode confidence in the systems designed to help those in need. The FBI will continue working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to investigate these schemes, protect patients, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.” “The FDA regulates medical devices as part of its mission to protect the public health, which includes ensuring that prescription dental devices are lawfully obtained, distributed, and dispensed,” said Special Agent in Charge Juan Berríos, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who fraudulently dispense prescription devices to unsuspecting patients.” The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here . The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: FBI, FDA, Police of Puerto Rico and San Juan Municipal Police as part of the Caribbean HEAT (Healthcare Enforcement and Accountability Task Force). On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Middletown Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Unlawful Money Transmitting Business

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that HABROON HABIB, 30, a citizen of Pakistan and lawful permanent resident of the U.S. residing in Middletown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to operating an unlawful money transmitting business. According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2025, Habib registered “Around The World Solutions LLC” with the State of Connecticut and rented shared commercial office space at 386 Main Street in Middletown. In February 2025, Habib opened a bank account for Around The World. Shortly thereafter, Around The World Solutions began to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare Advantage (also known as “Medicare Part C”) plans in Connecticut for durable medical equipment, including orthotics and braces, that Medicare beneficiaries did not ask for, consent to, or receive. The claims were submitted by an individual in Pakistan. Between March 12, 2025, and May 14, 2025, a total of approximately $680,571.28 in payments from Medicare Advantage plans operated by private insurers were deposited into Around The World Solutions’ bank account, based on fraudulent claims for orthotics purportedly provided to approximately 413 Medicare beneficiaries residing in 36 states. None of the Medicare beneficiaries resided in Connecticut. Payments for some of the claims were stopped by the Medicare Advantage programs when they discovered the fraud. The total amount of fraudulent claims Around The World Solutions submitted to Medicare Advantage plans was approximately $1,901,200. Habib sent a total of 14 wire transfers totaling $425,000 from the Around the World Solutions bank account to bank accounts located in Pakistan. At no time were Habib or Around The World Solutions licensed by the Connecticut Department of Banking to engage in the business of money transmission in Connecticut. Under Connecticut state law, knowingly engaging in the business of money transmission in the State of Connecticut without obtaining a license is a class D felony, and engaging in unlicensed money transmitting without a state license is a violation of federal law. Habib was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on August 24, 2025, shortly after federal investigators learned that he was scheduled to fly, using a one-way ticket, from JFK Airport to Pakistan the following day. Habib is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on September 8, at which time Habib faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. He is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing. This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon. This announcement is part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown , 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 Justice 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. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers. Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million. 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Greece man sentenced for threatening FBI agent and family

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Steven L. Ploof, 48, of Greece, NY, who was convicted of threatening to assault a member of the immediate family of a Federal law enforcement officer with intent to impede with such law enforcement officer while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against such law enforcement officer on account of the performance of official duties, was sentenced to serve 14 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca. On September 15, 2025, Ploof went to the Ogden, NY, residence of an FBI Special Agent and his family. When he arrived at the house, Ploof placed two posterboard signs on the front porch, one sign read “Corrupt FBI AGENT!” and the other sign read “I Want To (expletive) Your Kids!” Video of Ploof placing the two signs on the front porch was obtained from a residential security system. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Ryan Parina, the Ogden Police Department, under the direction of Chief Travis Gray, and the Orleans County Sherriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Christopher Bourke. # # # #


title: Mississippi Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Involving Counterfeit Fentanyl Pills

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A Mississippi man has been convicted for his involvement in a drug conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. The jury returned a guilty verdict against Jabreon Deshon Mosley, 35, after 2 days of testimony before U.S. District Judge Edmund G. LaCour, Jr. Mosley was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and use of a communication facility ( i.e. , telephone) to commit a drug-trafficking crime. According to evidence presented at trial, Mosley, who lived in Meridian, Mississippi, worked with co-conspirators from the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa areas, including Hanston Clark, who provided him powder fentanyl and methamphetamine. Mosely would press the powders into pill form for distribution in the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa areas. During a search warrant, Mosley was found in possession of over 65,000 pressed pills, many of which resembled prescription drugs or candy but, in fact, contained fentanyl or methamphetamine. Mosley also possessed two pill presses which he used to convert the powder into pills, along with several dies used to create counterfeit pills and disguise their true nature. Evidence at trial also showed that agents intercepted Mosley and Clark discussing their drug operation over a court-authorized wiretap on multiple occasions. Hanston Alexander Clark, aka “Hank”, 34, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The court sentenced Clark to 121 months in prison. “This conviction sends a clear message that those who manufacture and distribute counterfeit pills laced with dangerous drugs will be held accountable. The drugs fuel addiction, devastate families, and too often result in tragic loss of life,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. “I commend the dedicated collaboration of our law enforcement partners in Alabama and Mississippi in bringing these defendants to justice.” “Counterfeit fentanyl pills are poison in disguise. Thanks to the dedicated work and coordination of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the perpetrators were brought to justice, and more than 65,000 of these pills were seized before they could wreak havoc on our Birmingham and Tuscaloosa communities,” said Assistant United States Attorney Allison Garnett. “The manufacture of counterfeit pills disguised as legitimate prescription medication or candy is a direct threat to our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott, New Orleans Field Division. “This individual’s operation was built on deception and greed. He was willing to flood our streets with lethal doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine. By dismantling this organization and seizing over 65,000 pressed pills, the DEA and our Homeland Security Task Force partners have undoubtedly saved lives in Alabama and Mississippi. We remain relentless in our mission to pursue and prosecute those who traffic in this poison.” This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human-smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Alabama HSTF comprises agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service (USMS), and the Internal Revenue Service. In the Northern District of Alabama, prosecutions are led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama. The DEA investigated the case, with assistance from the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force; the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Tuscaloosa Police Department; the United States Secret Service; and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison J. Garnett, Ryan S. Rummage, and Brittany T. Byrd are prosecuting the case.


title: First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone Announces Ten Capital Region Actions: Five Arrests and Civil Settlements Involving Five Parties

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Today, First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III announced criminal charges against five defendants and civil health care fraud and controlled substances settlements with five defendants. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. “Today’s announcement should put all fraudsters on notice,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “Those who enrich themselves through stealing from the hardworking American taxpayers will be relentlessly investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable to the highest standard under the law. Together our partner agencies with the full support of the federal government, will use every available tool to identify fraud, dismantle criminal schemes, and recover taxpayer dollars. Health care fraud is not a victimless crime, every fraudulent claim submitted, every false bill paid, and every scheme designed to exploit our system steals from the taxpayers and exploits the integrity of programs that millions depend upon.” The charges announced today by First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone 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. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers. Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million. 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025. The following individuals were charged in the Northern District of New York: Joseph Carl, 55, of Clifton Park, New York, and Randolph Ekstrom, a/k/a “Randy,” 48, of Canajoharie, New York, were charged by superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to pay healthcare kickbacks. As alleged in the superseding indictment, Carl and Ekstrom managed Carl’s Cab, a DBA entity owned by Carl, that was enrolled as a Medicaid transportation provider in New York State from at least January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2025. The defendants are charged with paying Medicaid recipients cash and other things of value in exchange for using Carl’s Cab to transport them to medical appointments, including methadone treatment facilities. The superseding indictment alleges the defendants fraudulently obtained $4,296,374.02 in Medicaid reimbursements paid to Carl’s Cab over the time-period of January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2025. Muhammad Zishan, a/k/a “Sean,” a/k/a “Shaun,” a/k/a “Shawn,” 47, of Glens Falls, New York, Madiha Javed, a/k/a “Maddie,” 34, of Glens Falls, New York, and Ghazali Shaikh, 21, of Latham, New York, were charged by superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud and Zishan and Javed were charged with one count of conspiracy to pay health care kickbacks. As alleged in the superseding indictment, Zishan, Javed, and Shaikh managed Latham Taxi Inc., which was enrolled as a Medicaid transportation provider in New York State from at least January 1, 2020 through February 28, 2025. The superseding indictment alleges Zishan and Javed conspired to pay Medicaid recipients cash, controlled substances, and other things of value in exchange for using Latham Taxi Inc. to transport them to medical appointments, including methadone treatment facilities. In addition, all three defendants are charged with conspiring to falsify trip data to fraudulently obtain Medicaid reimbursement by overbilling for services provided and billing for services that were not provided at all. The superseding indictment alleges the defendants fraudulently obtained $666,281.42 in Medicaid reimbursements paid to Latham Taxi Inc. over the time-period of January 1, 2020 through February 28, 2025. According to statements made by prosecutors at Shaikh’s arraignment on June 22, 2026, federal agents seized over $30,000 in cash and precious metals they contend are proceeds of the offenses during the execution of a search warrant at Shaikh’s residence. The following parties entered civil settlement agreements in the Northern District of New York: Douglas C. Cline, M.D. P.C., doing business as Chronic Pain Management , formerly located in Queensbury, New York, its owner Douglas C. Cline, M.D., 67, of Saratoga Springs, New York, and nurse practitioner Laurie McKenna, 64, of Bolton Landing, New York, reached a civil settlement to pay $500,000 to resolve allegations that they prescribed high-dose opioids and other controlled substances to patients without adequate medical oversight, tied continued access to prescriptions to recurring cash payments, and that Dr. Cline fraudulently transferred assets to avoid payment of a potential judgment. Aptihealth Inc. and Aptihealth Medical, PLLC (collectively, “Aptihealth”), a telehealth behavioral health provider located in Clifton Park, New York, reached a civil settlement to pay $300,000 to the United States and the State of New York to resolve allegations that the company billed Medicare and Medicaid for services that were not rendered or not supported by adequate documentation, improperly billed administrative tasks as reimbursable medical services, provided gift cards to induce recipients to receive services, and failed to maintain an effective compliance program as required by New York law. “I want to thank our partners for their continued efforts. We look forward to bringing more cases like this as we work together to protect the integrity of our healthcare system” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone. “Although the New York State Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) was not involved in the cases announced today, they have a substantial responsibility ahead of them. New York’s Medicaid program now exceeds $100 billion, with more than half funded by federal taxpayers. Safeguarding those dollars requires an all of government approach and strong coordination across federal and state enforcement partners. I stand ready to work alongside them, bringing together both state and federal resources to protect the integrity of the program.” The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here . The Northern District of New York, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); FBI; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Office of the New York State Comptroller; and the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Gold Store Owner Charged with Selling Stolen Property Appears in Federal Court

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The owner of a gold store in Hickory, N.C., appeared in federal court today to face charges for allegedly selling stolen property, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. A grand jury in Charlotte returned a criminal indictment last week, charging Marty Christopher McDaniel, 65, of Hickory, and Kenny Price, 44, of Conover, N.C., with conspiracy to transport stolen property. According to allegations in the indictment, from 2020 to 2024, McDaniel and Price conspired with each other and others to sell and transport stolen retail products through The Gold King, a business owned by McDaniel. The indictment alleges that the defendants purchased retail products from boosters, knowing that the products were stolen. A “booster” is a person who steals goods and merchandise from retail stores and sells them to a “fence.” McDaniel and Price operated as fences, paying the boosters a fraction of the retail value for the stolen goods. The indictment further alleges that the defendants resold the stolen items through McDaniel’s various e-commerce stores on eBay, Mercari, and Whatnot. Many of the retail products sold on the e-commerce storefronts included products stolen by the boosters from national retail stores, such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, Best Buy, and others. The defendants sold the stolen items at a discounted price to customers throughout the United States and several foreign countries, earning more than $580,000 from the sales. McDaniel’s had his initial appearance today in federal court. McDaniel and Price are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property which, if convicted, carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The charges against the defendants are allegations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson credited the FBI and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office for the investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.


title: Two Doctors, Physician’s Assistant Charged With Unlawfully Distributing Controlled Substances Via Voicemail “Refill Line”

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – Today, United States Attorney David Metcalf announced criminal charges against three defendants in connection with an alleged pill mill conspiracy. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. Dr. Joseph P. DiRenzo Jr. , 64, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, Dr. Marc A. Matozzo , 56, of Woodbury, New Jersey, and Joseph D. Norris , P.A. , 62, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. DiRenzo and Matozzo were also each charged with two counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances. Norris was also charged with two counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances and one count of false statements related to health care matters. “Medical professionals who prescribe powerful drugs indiscriminately are fueling the opioid crisis that continues to grip our area,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Just like street dealers, they are perpetuating people’s pain and addiction. My office and our partners will never stop working to put pill mills out of business. We would ask anyone with knowledge of such prescription abuse to share their information with law enforcement. Doing so could save lives.” As alleged in the indictment, from January 2020 through March 2025, the defendants operated a voicemail refill line that allowed patients to request and receive refills of Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions, namely oxycodone and amphetamine, without ever interacting with a licensed and registered prescriber. The defendants prescribed to patients who used the refill line to receive prescriptions for controlled substances for up to and, in some instances, exceeding one year without interacting with a licensed prescriber. The defendants knew that certain pharmacies refused to fill certain of their controlled substances prescriptions, but defendants submitted the refused prescriptions to other pharmacies and submitted prescriptions in the name of another medical professional in order to deceive the pharmacies into filling the prescriptions. The indictment further alleges that the defendants received notice from pharmacy benefit managers and insurers that the defendants had prescribed dangerous amounts of Schedule II controlled substances and dangerous combinations of controlled substances and other medications, but they continued to prescribe these medicines. Some patients who used the refill line to obtain Schedule II controlled substances from defendants suffered drug overdoses and died. Although the defendants learned of the overdoses and deaths, they allegedly continued to operate the refill line to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances without interacting with patients. “Medical professionals occupy a position of trust and are sworn to care for and protect their patients,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “The defendants in this case allegedly violated that trust and their professional oaths by continuing to prescribe dangerous quantities of Schedule II narcotics, even after being warned about the risks posed by their prescribing practices. At a time when our nation continues to confront an opioid crisis, conduct like this undermines public confidence in the medical profession and the tireless efforts of those working to save lives. The FBI, alongside our partners, will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who exploit positions of trust and benefit from illegal, dangerous, and, too often, fatal schemes.” “Medical providers are responsible for ensuring that controlled substances are prescribed properly,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Regional Office for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Protecting the public from dangerous provider behaviors and drug overdoses is a top priority for HHS-OIG. In conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and other fellow law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively investigate alleged drug diversion.” This case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Claiborne Bisio of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Northeast Strike Force, part of the Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Unit. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Metcalf 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 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 HHS-OIG actions under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers. Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million. 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025. The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here . On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Northern District of West Virginia Part of National Health Care Fraud Takedown Resulting in 455 Defendants Charged in Connection with Over $6.5 Billion in Alleged Fraud

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Today, United States Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced civil settlements with two defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. The civil settlements are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The settlements stem from each defendant’s respective use of pre-signed, invalid prescriptions that were issued outside the usual course of his professional practice to his patients in West Virginia while he was traveling and not in close proximity to his office in West Virginia. “Both here in West Virginia and across the country, the evidence is overwhelming: when health care providers seek convenience or profit instead of complying with the law, the public pays the price. These cases demonstrate the critical importance of coordinated enforcement—between this office, our federal partners, and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office—to identify violations quickly and act decisively,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “We are committed to pursuing any provider whose conduct threatens patient safety or drains public health care programs. Today’s actions make clear that we will not allow illegal prescribing practices, irresponsible handling of controlled substances, or fraudulent billing to go unchecked.” “This year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown represents the greatest whole-of-government effort to combat health care fraud in our Nation’s history,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Under the decisive leadership of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, and our law enforcement partners, this administration has ushered in a new era of enforcement that will safeguard taxpayer dollars.” The settlements announced today by U.S. Attorney Harvey 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 $1.2 billion telemedicine scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; seize over $182 million in cash, houses, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and provide 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 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 DHHS-OIG actions under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers. Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million. 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since Oct. 1, 2025. The following individuals reached civil settlements in the Northern District of West Virginia: Muhammad Salman, 64, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, reached a civil settlement to pay $325,000.00 to resolve allegations that he and his company, Bridgeport Pharmacy, (1) violated the False Claims Act by submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid while he was traveling and not in close proximity to his office in West Virginia and (2) violated the Controlled Substances Act by using pre-signed, invalid prescriptions that were issued outside the usual course of his professional practice to his patients in West Virginia while he was traveling and not in close proximity to his office in West Virginia. The case was settled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie K. Savino of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, with assistance from the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Jorge Roig, 58, of Weirton, West Virginia, reached a civil settlement to pay $165,900.00 to resolve allegations that he violated the Controlled Substances Act by using pre-signed, invalid prescriptions that were issued outside the usual course of his professional practice to his patients in West Virginia while he was traveling and not in close proximity to his office in West Virginia and by collecting controlled substances without modifying his registration to become authorized as a collector and without keeping records of the disposal of controlled substances. The case was settled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie K. Savino of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia. “The message from the Trump administration is clear: the days of turning a blind eye to fraudsters stealing our tax dollars and harming Americans are over,” said West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey. “Today’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown is proof that we are delivering on that promise. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has been dedicated to rooting out fraud and are we thankful for the commitment from the top to help us stop this abuse and the misuse of pivotal funds intended to help our Medicaid recipients.” “Safeguarding the integrity of federal health care programs is central to our mission, and the results of this year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown reflect the strength of our collective commitment. The cases announced today demonstrate not only the scale, but the seriousness of the misconduct uncovered, ranging from patient harming schemes to multibillion dollar fraud operations,” said Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General T. March Bell. “HHS-OIG will continue to pursue those who engage in such conduct and hold them accountable. I am grateful for the tireless work of our special agents and for the partnership we share with our federal, state, and local law enforcement colleagues as we work together to protect patients and preserve public funds.” “The DEA exists to stop the flow of illicit drugs into our communities and to bring drug traffickers to justice, whether they are working street corners or wearing white lab coats and prescribing legal medications outside of accepted medical guidelines,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division. “I am proud of the work done by the men and women and DEA, and that of all our law enforcement partners to shut down healthcare fraud and hold bad doctors to account.” The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here . The Northern District of West Virginia, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. Prior to the charges announced as part of today’s nationwide Takedown and since its inception in March 2007, the National Fraud Division’s Health Care Strike Force program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, CMS, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit . An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.