An Orange County resident, Paul Richard Randall, has been charged with aiding and abetting health care fraud in a federal criminal complaint. The charges allege that over an 11-month period, Randall submitted nearly $270 million in fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal for prescription drugs that were not medically necessary and often not provided to the intended recipients.
Randall, aged 66, made his initial court appearance in Los Angeles and was ordered to be held without bond. His arraignment is set for July 17. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which led to charges against 324 defendants across the United States for their involvement in health care fraud schemes totaling over $14.6 billion in intended losses. 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.”
United States Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the importance of public health programs serving those in need rather than being exploited by individuals seeking personal gain.
The complaint alleges that Randall collaborated with Kyrollos Mekail and Patricia Anderson to exploit Medi-Cal’s temporary suspension of prior authorization requirements for certain medications. Through Monte Vista Pharmacy, they billed Medi-Cal tens of millions monthly for non-contracted generic drugs that did not require prior authorization under the new system but were unnecessary or not dispensed.
From May 2022 to April 2023, Monte Vista billed more than $269 million and received over $178 million for these drugs. The proceeds were allegedly laundered through third parties as kickbacks to Anderson and others involved.
Anderson faces separate charges unsealed last week, while Mekail pleaded guilty in August 2024 and awaits sentencing. Investigations are being conducted by HHS-OIG, the FBI, and the California Department of Justice.
Prosecutors handling this case include Assistant United States Attorney Roger A. Hsieh along with other members from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division Fraud Section.
