A woman from Los Angeles has pleaded guilty to her involvement in a scheme that defrauded Medicare of over $54 million. Sophia Shaklian, aged 38, admitted to health care fraud linked to hospice and diagnostic testing services that were purportedly never provided. The plea, entered on March 20, 2024, carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2024.
Shaklian was charged last year in federal court with multiple counts of health care fraud and transactional money laundering. Her co-defendant, Alex Alexsanian, 48, faces trial in February 2024. He has been charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and concealment money laundering, as outlined in court documents.
From March 2019 to August 2024, Shaklian managed and submitted fraudulent claims for seven health care providers enrolled with Medicare in Los Angeles County. This included a hospice company she owned and several diagnostic testing companies. Prosecutors state that these businesses submitted claims totaling over $54 million for services that were unnecessary or not rendered. Medicare paid out more than $23 million on these fraudulent claims.
In addition to submitting false claims, Shaklian laundered the funds by transferring them to accounts associated with a fictitious identity. Documents reveal that she used various aliases to facilitate these transactions.
Alexsanian allegedly played a pivotal role in the scheme, directing a foreign national to establish a radiology clinic and acquire Console Hospice in Van Nuys. He is accused of taking control of these companies and their bank accounts as well as the foreign national’s personal bank accounts. Together, they are claimed to have submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare for services that were never provided.
Prosecutors indicate that the duo laundered the Medicare reimbursements and other funds, using them to purchase more than $6 million in gold bars and coins. If convicted, Alexsanian could face a federal prison sentence of up to 20 years for each count against him.
This case highlights ongoing issues surrounding healthcare fraud, which not only impacts patients but also strains resources within Medicare. The ramifications of such schemes extend beyond financial losses, affecting the integrity of healthcare services nationwide.
