NewsWPLG Local 10June 25, 2026Miami-Dade
Federal Prosecutors Charge 455 People in $6.5 Billion Healthcare Fraud Takedown
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 455 individuals across the country, including several South Florida residents, for their alleged involvement in healthcare fraud schemes totaling over $6.5 billion. The cases involve fraudulent billing for medical equipment, unnecessary testing, and kickbacks targeting Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
These charges represent a significant federal enforcement action against healthcare fraud that impacts the financial integrity of Medicare and Medicaid programs and the delivery of medical services to beneficiaries.
Key Facts
- The DOJ charged 455 individuals nationwide in the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
- The total value of the alleged healthcare fraud schemes exceeds $6.5 billion.
- Giorgi Kimeridze is accused of facilitating a $1 billion fraudulent billing scheme for medical equipment through ABRH Care, with $4.9 million actually paid out.
- Casilda Muniz Rodriguez is accused of $117 million in fraudulent Medicare billing for skin substitutes.
- Laura Seiler-Anstett is accused of a $58.3 million scheme involving orthotic braces and illegal kickbacks.
- Eduardo Javier Ibarra Arrowsmith is accused of impersonating a deceased neurologist to fraudulently certify naturalization applicants as disabled to bypass citizenship test requirements.
- De La Cruz Mental Health LLC owners Yilian and Inti Cruz, along with therapist Adaimis Perez Arencibia, are accused of paying kickbacks to recruit elderly Medicaid patients.
- Rene Yartu Couceiro is accused of paying cash to beneficiaries to receive unnecessary psychosocial rehabilitation and TMS therapy.
- Rajiv Shah is accused of multi-million-dollar fraudulent billing for durable medical equipment.
- Anthony Tursi is accused of fraudulent billing for medically unnecessary genetic testing.
Who's Mentioned
personIbrahim Hilmi“Charged in connection with the operation of ABRH Care.”personCasilda Muniz Rodriguez“Accused of $117 million in fraudulent Medicare billing for skin substitutes.”organizationU.S. Department of Justice“Federal agency leading the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.”personAnthony Tursi“Accused of fraudulent Medicare billing for medically unnecessary genetic testing”personRene Yartu Couceiro“Accused of paying cash kickbacks to Medicaid/Medicare beneficiaries for therapy ”organizationABRH Care“Durable medical equipment company allegedly used to bill Medicare for items not ”personInti Cruz“Co-owner of De La Cruz Mental Health LLC, accused of mental health fraud.”personGiorgi Kimeridze“Accused of facilitating a $1 billion fraudulent billing scheme for medical equip”personEduardo Javier Ibarra Arrowsmith“Accused of impersonating a deceased neurologist to fraudulently certify naturali”personAdaimis Perez Arencibia“Therapist accused of conspiring in a mental health fraud scheme.”personYilian Cruz“Co-owner of De La Cruz Mental Health LLC, accused of mental health fraud.”personRajiv Shah“Accused of multi-million-dollar fraudulent Medicare billing for medical equipmen”personLaura Seiler-Anstett“Accused of a $58.3 million scheme involving orthotic braces and illegal kickback”