The Department of Justice arrested nearly two dozen people for a series of COVID-related schemes.
On Wednesday, the DOJ dished out a handful of charges for the defendants who carried out crimes that led to $149 million in losses. The officials say most of the people involved were medical field workers. They were described as employees who “placed greed above care during an unprecedented public health emergency.” The DOJ claims that the defendants were selling inaccurate vaccination cards and misappropriating medical funds. In addition, the DOJ also alleges that the defendants created bogus claims connected to COVID tests.
One defendant told an undercover agent, “until I get caught and go to jail. [expletive] it I’m taking the money, ha! I don’t care.” The arrestee, in particular, was charged with distributing fake vaccination cards.
“This COVID-19 health care fraud enforcement action involves extraordinary efforts. To prosecute some of the largest and most wide-ranging pandemic frauds detected to date,” the Director for COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement says. “The scale and complexity of the schemes prosecuted today. Illustrates the success of our unprecedented interagency effort. To quickly investigate and prosecute those who abuse our critical health care programs.”
According to authorities, the defendants laundered the cash through U.S. shell corporations. The funds were then transferred to foreign banks and used to make extravagant purchases.
“We have seen trusted medical professionals orchestrate and carry out egregious crimes against their patients for financial gain,” says the Assistant Director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “These health care fraud abuses erode the integrity, and trust patients have with those in the health care industry. Particularly during a vulnerable and worrisome time for many individuals. The actions of these criminals are unacceptable.”
The defendant’s arrests happened across eight states, including New York, California, New Jersey, Maryland, and Florida.
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