A doctor in California has been indicted for allegedly orchestrating a $45 million Medicare fraud scheme involving Botox injections. Violetta Mailyan, 45, from Los Angeles County, faces serious charges, including submitting numerous false claims to Medicare.
Details of the Allegations
Mailyan owned and operated Healthy Way Medical Center, where she allegedly billed Medicare for Botox injections that were both unnecessary and never administered. The claims included injections scheduled on days she was traveling internationally and other dates when the supposed beneficiaries were unavailable, such as being incarcerated or when her clinic was closed.
Charges and Potential Penalties
- Nine counts of wire fraud
- Three counts of obstructing a criminal investigation
If convicted, Mailyan could face 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and five years for each obstruction charge.
Investigative and Prosecution Efforts
The case is a collaborative endeavor between the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Key figures in this investigation include:
- Matthew R. Galeotti – Acting Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division
- Christian J. Schrank – Deputy Inspector General, HHS-OIG
- Akil Davis – Assistant Director in Charge, FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office
Trial Attorney Sandor Callahan is leading the prosecution. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section to combat health care fraud across the United States.
Impact on Health Care Fraud
Since 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program has led to over 5,800 charges against individuals involved in health care fraud, amounting to more than $30 billion in fraudulent billings. In conjunction with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, these agencies are working diligently to hold healthcare providers accountable for fraud.
An indictment represents an allegation only. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
