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Doctor implicated in ‘biggest COVID-19 relief fraud’ receives $150M.

In what the U.S. Attorney’s Office is calling the “largest fraud scheme” targeting a COVID-19 program‍ for uninsured patients, an Orange County, California, doctor‍ was charged Sept. 27 with an 18-count ⁢indictment ​for submitting false claims and receiving around $150 million ‍in ⁣payments.

In⁢ what the U.S. Attorney’s Office is calling the “largest fraud scheme” targeting​ a COVID-19 program for⁢ uninsured patients, an Orange County,‍ California, doctor was charged on September 27 with an 18-count indictment for submitting false claims and receiving approximately $150 million in payments.

Anthony Hao Dinh, 64, from Newport ⁣Coast, ⁤has ⁣been charged ⁢with⁤ 12 counts of⁣ wire fraud, five counts of money ⁤laundering—two of ⁣which involved transferring over $11‍ million to personal stock trading​ accounts—and one count of obstructing justice, ‍according to a statement ⁣from the U.S. Attorney’s Office released on⁢ September⁤ 28.

Mr. Dinh allegedly submitted‌ false⁤ patient reports ⁢in ‌response to a grand jury subpoena in order ​to cover up the false claims.

He ‌could ⁣face up to 50 ⁤years ‌in prison if‌ convicted​ on all​ charges.

Mr. Dinh allegedly ‍submitted‌ over ⁢$250 million in claims for services not provided or⁣ not⁢ covered by the⁣ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program.

The millions he received, as an ear, nose, and throat specialist‌ and facial plastic surgeon, were supposedly for services to insured patients that were either ⁣not rendered or ⁣not medically‌ necessary between July⁢ 2020 and March ⁣2021 in ⁤his offices located in Westminster and⁢ Garden Grove.

The indictment‌ also claims ⁣that ⁢he submitted, or caused to‍ be submitted, approximately 65 false⁢ loan applications totaling nearly $8 million, resulting in ‌the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and ⁤Economic Injury Disaster Loan ‍(EIDL) programs granting around $2.8 million in funds.

Mr. ‌Dinh is scheduled to be⁢ arraigned‌ on October 30 at the U.S. District Court in ​Santa Ana.

In April, two‌ others were charged in‌ connection with ‌the‍ money laundering scheme. They are Mr. Dinh’s sister, Hannah “Hang” Trinh Dinh, 65, of Lake Forest, and⁢ Matthew Hoang Ho, ⁤66,⁣ of Melbourne, Florida.

Ms. Dinh has agreed to plead guilty to⁣ conspiracy to commit⁤ wire fraud​ and assisting in the submission ⁢of false‌ applications for PPP and‍ EIDL, resulting in over $260,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.

Mr. Ho is scheduled‍ to ⁣stand trial on⁣ February 6, 2024. ⁢He was charged ⁤on May ⁢2 with conspiracy to commit wire‍ fraud, wire fraud, and money⁢ laundering in relation to PPP and EIDL applications.

Did​ the doctor pleads guilty in Beverly Hills?

In August of 2022, Randy Rosen, a surgeon from Beverly Hills, California, pleaded ‌guilty to​ several felony charges as part of a‌ complex workers’ compensation fraud case. Prosecutors contend that ⁣Dr. Rosen fraudulently⁤ billed insurance companies for unnecessary procedures. Pleads Guilty in Sober ⁣Living Facility Fraud Case

9/26/2023

The alleged fraud scheme involved the submission of false claims for COVID-19 tests and other ‌procedures provided to uninsured patients. According to ​the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ‌Dinh used multiple fake patient‌ identities to submit fraudulent claims to various insurance ​companies and government healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. ‍The payments received from these false ⁢claims amounted to approximately ⁣$150 million.

In addition to wire ​fraud and money laundering charges, Dinh is⁤ also accused of obstructing justice. He allegedly provided false and misleading patient reports to a grand jury subpoena in an attempt to conceal the fraudulent claims. If ‌convicted, Dinh faces significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

This case highlights ⁢the prevalence of fraud schemes targeting COVID-19 relief ​programs. The pandemic has created an environment where scammers⁢ and opportunists seek to exploit government ‌assistance initiatives.⁢ These fraud schemes​ not⁣ only⁤ undermine the ⁤integrity of the healthcare system but also divert much-needed‌ resources⁣ away from those⁣ who truly ‍need them.

The‍ U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies are actively working to identify and prosecute⁢ individuals ‍involved in such fraudulent activities. This⁢ case serves as a reminder‌ that fraudulent actions will not go unnoticed⁤ or unpunished.

It ⁢is crucial for individuals and organizations to remain vigilant and report any⁣ suspected fraudulent activities to the relevant authorities. ‌Protecting the integrity of COVID-19 relief programs‌ is essential to ensure that resources reach‌ those who are most in need⁤ and to prevent the‌ exploitation​ of public funds.

As⁢ the pandemic continues to impact ⁢communities worldwide, it is ⁣imperative that steps are taken to⁤ strengthen the safeguards and ⁤protocols surrounding ‌relief programs. Through increased transparency,⁢ accountability, and ⁣collaboration between‍ government agencies and healthcare providers, ⁤the risk of fraudulent activities ​can be minimized, and assistance‍ can ‌be efficiently channeled to⁤ those ​in need.

In conclusion, the charging of an Orange County doctor with an 18-count indictment for the submission of⁢ false claims ​and‌ receipt ‌of approximately $150 million in payments highlights​ the urgent need to combat fraud schemes targeting COVID-19 relief⁣ programs. Vigilance, collaboration, and swift legal action are crucial in protecting public⁤ funds and ensuring that resources​ are directed‌ to those ‍who require⁤ assistance the most‌ in these challenging times.


Read More From Original Article Here: Doctor Received $150 Million in ‘Largest Fraud Scheme’ Involving COVID-19 Relief Program

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