Home / Crime and Justice / Georgian Nationals Linked to $3B Medicare Fraud
Georgian Nationals Linked to $3B Medicare Fraud
26 Jun
Summary
- Two Georgian nationals allegedly laundered $12.5 million for a criminal organization.
- A massive scheme exploited Medicare using stolen identities, defrauding billions.
- The fraud targeted the elderly and disabled, sending them fake Explanation of Benefits.
Four individuals face charges in connection with a sprawling $3 billion healthcare fraud and money laundering scheme that exploited Medicare. The operation, described as the largest identity theft-driven healthcare fraud ever prosecuted, targeted vulnerable populations.
Kakha Bendeliani and Goga Danelia, both Georgian nationals, are accused of laundering over $12.5 million. Bendeliani allegedly acted as the "nominee owner" of a fraudulent medical equipment company, while Danelia provided translation and banking assistance. This illicit activity supported a Russian transnational criminal organization.
Fructoso de Jesus Gomez Agudelo, from Nashua, is charged with stealing an identity for over 20 years to illicitly obtain more than $500,000 in public assistance. Separately, Rima Gerges-Maalouf, a pharmacist in New Hampshire, faces charges for allegedly diverting and ingesting controlled prescription drugs meant for patients.
