LA Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in $54 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

Introduction to the Case

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to her role in a scheme to defraud Medicare out of more than $54 million via hospice and diagnostic testing services that were never provided.

Details of the Guilty Plea

Sophia Shaklian, 38, of the Larchmont neighborhood, entered a plea to a single count of health care fraud, a felony carrying a possible maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Sentencing was scheduled for March 24.
Co-defendant Alex Alexsanian, 48, of Burbank, is currently facing trial in February.

Charges and Accusations

Shaklian was charged last year in Los Angeles federal court with 16 counts of health care fraud and four counts of transactional money laundering. Alexsanian is charged with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and three counts of concealment money laundering, according to court documents.
Prosecutors said Shaklian, often using aliases, managed and submitted claims for seven health care providers enrolled with Medicare and located in Los Angeles County. The businesses included a hospice company she owned and several diagnostic testing companies.

Extent of the Fraud

From March 2019 to August 2024, the companies submitted more than $54 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for services that were never provided and not needed, and received more than $23 million for those claims, federal prosecutors said.
Shaklian laundered Medicare funds by transferring them to accounts in the name of a fake identity, documents show.

Involvement of Co-Defendant

Alexsanian allegedly directed a foreign national to open a radiology clinic and acquire Medicare provider Console Hospice in Van Nuys, then provide control of those companies and their bank accounts and the foreign national’s personal bank accounts to Alexsanian, prosecutors say.
Alexsanian conspired with the foreign national — who has since left the country — and others to have the clinic and Console Hospice submit fraudulent claims to Medicare for services that were never provided, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. They laundered the Medicare reimbursements they received, as well as funds deposited into their accounts through the phony identity, and used them to, among other things, buy more than $6 million in gold bars and coins, prosecutors allege.

Potential Sentencing

If convicted as charged, Alexsanian could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count, prosecutors noted.

Conclusion

The guilty plea by Sophia Shaklian marks a significant step in the prosecution of a large-scale Medicare fraud scheme. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat healthcare fraud and protect the integrity of the Medicare system. As the sentencing approaches, it will be crucial to follow the developments in this case to understand the full extent of the fraud and the consequences for those involved.

FAQs

• Q: What was the nature of the fraud scheme?
  A: The scheme involved submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare for hospice and diagnostic testing services that were never provided.
• Q: How much money was involved in the fraudulent claims?
  A: The companies submitted more than $54 million in fraudulent claims and received over $23 million.
• Q: What is the potential sentencing for Sophia Shaklian?
  A: Shaklian faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars.
• Q: What are the charges against Alex Alexsanian?
  A: Alexsanian is charged with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and three counts of concealment money laundering.
• Q: What is the potential sentencing for Alexsanian?
  A: If convicted as charged, Alexsanian could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count.