Feds allege $3.4 billion Medicare fraud scheme tied to Russian citizen living in Austin

[Javaman]

(3.4 billion by a Russian crook and not a peep in the national news)


https://www.kxan.com/investigations/feds-allege-3-4-billion-medicare-fraud-scheme-tied-to-russian-citizen-living-in-austin/

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Federal authorities say a Texas man helped orchestrate a health care fraud scheme that billed Medicare billions of dollars for medical equipment such as orthotic braces, glucose monitors, urinary catheters and wound dressings that patients often did not need and, in many cases, never received, according to a U.S. District Court criminal complaint uncovered by KXAN investigators.

Nika Machutadze, a Russian citizen who was living in Austin, is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering tied to the alleged fraud, which involved two durable medical equipment companies operating in Florida and Texas.

The federal court records do not identify the Florida-based company, however KXAN found Florida Secretary of State records show one business associated with Machutadze named Sunshine Senior Solutions, LLC.

According to the affidavit, one of the companies submitted claims to Medicare for more than 1.6 million items billed to over 220,000 beneficiaries nationwide, resulting in $3.33 billion in Medicare charges. Investigators say Medicare processed approximately $1.78 billion of those claims as paid before suspending reimbursements.

more at link...