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NewsWFLA News Channel 8October 31, 2026Hillsborough County

Southern California doctor sentenced to 15 years in prison for $45 million Medicare fraud scheme

Photo: WFLA News Channel 8

A Southern California doctor was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $32.9 million in restitution after being convicted of a $45 million Medicare fraud scheme involving fake Botox billings. Violetta Mailyan, who operated Healthy Way Medical Center in Glendale, billed Medicare for thousands of unperformed migraine treatments, including services claimed while she was vacationing out of state or when her clinic was closed. Prosecutors stated she used the stolen funds to buy luxury vehicles, real estate, and high-end collectibles before attempting to cover her tracks by forging patient signatures and falsifying medical records.

HealthcareCrime and Law EnforcementFraud
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8

Why It Matters

The case directly impacts federal health care program integrity and taxpayer-funded resources, resulting in a multi-million-dollar asset and substantial to Medicare.

Key Facts

  • Violetta Mailyan was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison following her conviction on nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of obstruction of a criminal investigation.
  • She was ordered to pay $32,904,049.41 in restitution to Medicare.
  • The court ordered the immediate forfeiture of over $16,029,742 worth of property, including real estate, securities, and bank funds.
  • Mailyan defrauded Medicare out of more than $45 million by billing for Botox injections that were never provided.
  • More than $19 million in Botox injections were billed on days when her clinic was closed.
  • She billed for providing medical services while vacationing in locations including Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, and New York.
  • Stolen funds were used to purchase luxury goods including two Tesla cars (including a Cybertruck), a $12,000 17th-century crossbow, a $3,000 painting, and five pieces of California real estate.
  • When investigators began examining the case, she attempted to cover her tracks by falsifying medical records and forging Medicare beneficiary signatures, including for a man who was in federal prison at the time.
  • Following a six-day trial ending in May 2026, she was convicted, and her sentencing took place on Oct. 29.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationMedicare“Reimburses medical providers for Botox injections when necessary to treat docume”locationCabo“Location where the defendant was relaxing on the beach while billing over $200,0”locationGlendale“City in Southern California where Healthy Way Medical Center was operated”locationHawaii“Location where the defendant was visiting while billing for medical services”OrganizationU.S. Department of Justice“Federal agency that detailed the clinic's fraudulent billing practices”locationMexico“Location where the defendant was visiting while billing for medical services”locationLas Vegas“Location where the defendant was visiting while billing for medical services”PersonVioletta Mailyan“45-year-old doctor from Glendale who owned and operated Healthy Way Medical Cent”locationCalifornia“State where the defendant operated her clinic and bought five pieces of real est”locationPennsylvania“Location where the defendant was visiting while billing for medical services”OrganizationHealthy Way Medical Center“Glendale clinic that claimed to provide beauty and cosmetic services”locationNew York“Location where the defendant was visiting while billing for medical services”