Crime · Los Angeles County
Federal and state prosecutors announced Thursday that more than a dozen people in Southern California were charged with allegedly siphoning nearly $2 billion in fraudulent healthcare costs. The charges involve substance abuse treatment centers, hospice services, and surgeons, including doctors accused of performing unnecessary surgeries to bill Medicaid for over $130 million. Authorities arrested at least eight individuals, including a chiropractor and a surgeon in Los Angeles and Anaheim, respectively. This operation is part of a broader federal effort to combat public benefits fraud.
Crime · Los Angeles, CA
Federal and state prosecutors announced Thursday charges against 15 people, at least eight arrested, for allegedly siphoning nearly $2 billion through fraudulent healthcare claims in Southern California. The scheme involved fake substance abuse treatment centers that billed over $1.5 billion for addiction treatment never provided, along with unnecessary surgeries performed by doctors to bill Medicaid. Among those charged are Hany Malek, 61, a chiropractor arrested in Tarzana, and Dr. Harold Tabaie, 78, of Anaheim, who prosecutors allege made roughly $134 million through medically unnecessary atherectomies. The operation is part of a broader federal anti-fraud initiative that also saw indictments in Ohio and a new state collaboration announced in Missouri.
Public Safety · San Clemente, CA
The Norte Fire in San Clemente, Orange County, reached full containment by 5:21 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22. The wildfire initially started at Portico Del Norte & Eminencia Del Norte on Oct. 16 and scorched 570 acres of land. While the fire is fully contained, meaning it is surrounded by control lines and stopped from spreading, it may continue to burn within the perimeter. Fire crews are currently working to control the fire, ensuring it cannot cross containment lines.
Crime · Los Angeles, CA
Federal and state prosecutors announced Thursday that 15 people in Southern California were charged with allegedly siphoning nearly $2 billion through fraudulent healthcare claims at substance abuse treatment centers, hospice services, and surgical practices. At least eight were arrested, including Hany Malek, 61, a Tarzana chiropractor accused of posing as a doctor to refer patients for unnecessary invasive surgeries, and Dr. Harold Tabaie, 78, of Anaheim, who allegedly performed the procedures. Prosecutors say the pair made roughly $134 million through medically unnecessary atherectomies billed to Medicaid. Separately, a network of dozens of fake substance abuse treatment centers allegedly collected more than $1.5 billion for addiction treatment never provided.
Public Safety · San Clemente, CA
The Norte Fire, first discovered at 11:33 a.m. Oct. 16 at Portico Del Norte and Eminencia Del Norte in San Clemente, scorched 570 acres before reaching full containment by Thursday evening, Oct. 22. The Orange County Fire Authority managed the wildfire; no cause has been determined. Full containment means the fire's perimeter is surrounded by control lines, though it may continue burning within them.
