This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Federal authorities have announced a stunning law enforcement that involves health-care fraud, hundreds of people and nearly $15 billion in tax money allegedly stolen from taxpayers.
The Department of Justice announced it has charges looming against 324 people, including nearly 100 physicians and other medical professionals in all 50 states, who allegedly scammed some $14.6 billion out of the government's health-care programs.
A report at the Washington Examiner noted it was what the DOJ described as "the largest healthcare fraud takedown in U.S. history."
Charges include a wide range of criminal offenses, including opioid trafficking, telemedicine fraud, transnational identity theft and more
"Of the total charged, 77 defendants were prosecuted by state attorneys general, while the remaining 247 face federal charges. Authorities said they seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets," the report noted,
The takedown "delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers," explained Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The action is a huge advance from Joe Biden's administration, which developed cases against 193 defendants involving alleged fraud of about $2.75 billion over the whole of the last year.
"These criminals didn't just steal someone else's money — they stole from you," said Matthew Galeotti of the DOJ's Criminal Division. "This is not healthcare. It is a staggering breach of trust."
Dan Bongino, deputy director fo the FBI, said: "Results matter. Talk is cheap. And this is not even the beginning of the beginning. If you're stealing from the public, or violating your oath to serve, then we're coming for you too."
Among the schemes:
A transnational crime ring that turned in billing of $10.6 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare, using stolen identities of U.S. residents.
A Middle East-based billing company that allegedly defrauded Medicare of $650 million, targeting Native American and homeless patients for addiction scams.
And, cases alleging nurses stole drugs from dying patients.
