Today, criminal charges were announced against five individuals and one company in Eastern North Carolina as part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar revealed that the charges are linked to alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid programs, along with other insurance carriers.
These charges arise from accusations of Medicaid kickbacks for patient attendance at substance abuse services and false billings to Medicare for durable medical equipment. “Fraud against our healthcare system is not a victimless crime – it threatens patient care, burdens taxpayers, and undermines trust in critical programs,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Bubar.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the seriousness of these actions: “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”
The coordinated law enforcement action resulted in charges against 324 defendants nationwide, involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss and more than 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The takedown led to the seizure of over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets.
Kelly J. Blackmon from HHS-OIG remarked on the importance of legal compliance by participants in federal healthcare programs: “HHS-OIG will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of Medicare and Medicaid fraud.”
FBI Charlotte’s James C. Barnacle Jr., IRS Criminal Investigation’s Richard Gaskins, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, VA Office Inspector General’s Nate Landkammer all expressed commitment to addressing healthcare fraud.
The prosecution efforts were led by Principal Assistant Deputy Chief Jacob Foster among others from various U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across numerous districts alongside State Attorneys General’s Offices for several states.
Since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force has charged over 5,400 defendants responsible for billing more than $27 billion from government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
