Federal Healthcare Fraud Crackdown Includes More Than $126 Million in Alleged Tampa Bay Medicare Schemes
Federal prosecutors have charged several Tampa Bay residents in connection with alleged Medicare fraud schemes that authorities say resulted in more than $126 million in fraudulent healthcare claims as part of the largest national healthcare fraud enforcement action in U.S. history.
The cases were announced during the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which charged 455 defendants across the country in schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in alleged false claims submitted to Medicare, Medicaid and other healthcare programs.
Among the local cases, prosecutors allege that an Ellenton resident participated in a skin graft and wound care fraud scheme that billed Medicare more than $118 million over 18 months. Authorities say Medicare paid approximately $61 million on the claims before the alleged fraud was uncovered. The investigation alleges the scheme involved medically unnecessary treatments and false billing practices between May 2024 and November 2025.
In a separate case, a Tampa resident and Russian citizen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with an alleged durable medical equipment fraud scheme. Prosecutors say stolen Medicare beneficiary information and physician identification numbers were used to submit more than $19 million in false claims for medical braces. Medicare and Medicaid reportedly paid about $941,000 on those claims. Sentencing is pending.
Other individuals from Sarasota, Apollo Beach, Bradenton and Pasco County were also named in federal investigations connected to the nationwide crackdown. The Department of Justice said the coordinated effort targeted a wide range of alleged fraud, including unnecessary medical procedures, fraudulent billing, kickback schemes and identity theft involving government healthcare programs.
Officials said the enforcement action involved federal and state agencies working together across dozens of jurisdictions to identify and prosecute healthcare fraud while protecting taxpayer-funded healthcare programs. Charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.