Tea Kaganovich, Ramazi Mitaishvili, Health Care Fraud, New York 2024

Brooklyn, New York – In a brazen scheme to defraud the healthcare system, Tea Kaganovich, 50, and Ramazi Mitaishvili, 62, a married couple from Brooklyn, have been sentenced to three years in prison for their roles in a more than $18 million health care fraud scheme. The couple co-owned several diagnostic testing facilities in Brooklyn.

According to court documents, Kaganovich and Mitaishvili paid out over $18 million in kickbacks for the referral of beneficiaries who submitted themselves to diagnostic testing and other purported medical services. The couple also falsely reported to the IRS that the illegal kickback payments were legitimate business expenses and submitted tax forms that under-reported business income and claimed deductions to which they were not entitled.

The scheme, which spanned several years, was uncovered by the HHS-OIG, FBI, and IRS-CI, who conducted a thorough investigation into the couple’s activities. The agencies worked tirelessly to gather evidence and build a case against the couple.

Kaganovich and Mitaishvili were charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and tax evasion. The couple’s scheme resulted in significant financial losses for the Medicare program and the IRS.

The couple’s sentencing marks a significant victory for law enforcement and a major blow to the healthcare fraud industry. The case serves as a reminder that healthcare providers who engage in fraudulent activities will be held accountable.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat healthcare fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program has charged more than 4,200 defendants who collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $19 billion.

Kaganovich and Mitaishvili are currently serving their three-year prison sentences. The case serves as a reminder that healthcare providers who engage in fraudulent activities will be held accountable.

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