United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian has announced criminal charges against five individuals accused of defrauding Medicare and other federal health care benefit programs, as well as illegally diverting drugs. These charges are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The allegations involve various schemes, including unnecessary medical equipment claims and drug diversion for personal use.
“Fraud and abuse in our health care system all too often result in harm to the elderly and sick and a loss to the American taxpayer,” said Missakian. “The five cases announced today reflect the far-reaching impact of health care fraud and my office’s commitment to prosecuting schemes that target these vital programs.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers.”
The coordinated law enforcement action resulted in charges against 324 defendants nationwide, involving over $14.6 billion in alleged false billings and more than 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. Assets seized include over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other items.
In the Northern District of California, several individuals face charges:
– Vincent Thayer is charged with wire fraud, health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft related to a $68 million scheme involving fraudulent claims for COVID-19 testing.
– Sevendik Huseynov faces charges for allegedly submitting fraudulent claims totaling over $137 million for durable medical equipment through his company Vonyes, Inc.
– Clinton Johnson Christian is charged with tampering with consumer products by diverting hydromorphone for personal use.
– Dr. Yasmin Pirani is accused of health care fraud connected to a $35.2 million telemedicine scheme involving unnecessary prescriptions.
– Patrick Omeife is charged with concealment money laundering linked to funds misappropriated from a COVID-19 relief program.
FBI Special Agent Sanjay Virmani emphasized that healthcare fraud “drains critical resources from healthcare programs” while FDA Special Agent Robert Iwanicki reiterated their commitment to prosecuting those who compromise public safety.
These cases are being prosecuted by various U.S. Attorneys’ Offices with assistance from state attorney generals’ offices across multiple states.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
