15 Charged in $1.8 Billion Southern California Healthcare Fraud Scheme

Federal authorities have charged 15 individuals in Southern California in connection with nearly $1.8 billion in fraudulent healthcare claims. The charges stem from elaborate schemes involving sham substance abuse treatment centers, unnecessary medical procedures, and fraudulent hospice care, according to the Justice Department.

Predawn raids conducted on Thursday across the region led to the arrests of six medical professionals and nine others. Among those charged are Dr. Harold Tabaie, 78, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and his business partner, Hany Malek, 61, a chiropractor. They are accused of orchestrating a $135 million scheme that involved performing medically unnecessary atherectomies, an invasive procedure to clear arterial plaque, on patients. Prosecutors allege Malek diagnosed patients with arterial disease and recommended these procedures, even when unwarranted.

In a separate but related operation, Nathan Young, 39, and his father, David Young, 71, were charged in connection with a $1.6 billion scheme involving substance abuse treatment. Authorities allege the father-son duo recruited vulnerable individuals, often referred to as drug addicts, from across the country and trafficked them to numerous Los Angeles-area rehabilitation centers. These patients were allegedly recruited by individuals identified as