Federal authorities have charged 10 defendants in the Southern California region as part of the largest healthcare fraud takedown in U.S. history, according to the Department of Justice. The nationwide operation resulted in charges against 455 defendants for allegedly defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of over $6.5 billion through schemes involving fraudulent claims for services and illegal distribution of controlled substances.
In the Central District of California, 10 individuals face criminal charges. Five were arrested in the greater Los Angeles area for their alleged participation in a scheme that submitted nearly $270 million in fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal for expensive prescription drugs. Prosecutors allege that Christina Mareik, 61, of Whittier, facilitated fraudulent prescriptions that led to Medi-Cal paying out more than $178 million. These claims reportedly involved drugs with low-cost generic ingredients that were not medically necessary or never provided.
Separately, a San Fernando Valley man is accused of operating hospice care companies that fraudulently billed Medicare approximately $27 million. Oren David Shachar, 59, of Van Nuys; Abraham Shin, 66, of Corona; and Jeannie Choi, 57, of Torrance, are among those indicted on charges including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud, aggravated identity theft, and violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the initiative as the "greatest combined federal and state effort in combating healthcare fraud in history." He stated that fraudsters who harm or cheat Americans will be pursued, with assets seized and full prosecution.
Some of the illicit funds generated by these schemes were allegedly used for luxury items, including vehicles and homes. The DOJ's "2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown" aimed to disrupt widespread fraudulent practices targeting government-funded healthcare programs.