DOJ Charges 10 Southern California Defendants in Historic Healthcare Fraud Crackdown
DOJ charges 10 Southern California defendants – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged 10 individuals in Southern California for their involvement in one of the nation’s most extensive healthcare fraud operations. This takedown, part of the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Initiative, targets 455 defendants nationwide, with the Southern California cases contributing over $6.5 billion in alleged fraudulent activity. Among the key conspiracies are two major schemes involving Medi-Cal and Medicare, which have drawn significant attention due to their complexity and scale.
A Nationwide Collaboration
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that the Southern California defendants were part of a coordinated effort between federal and state authorities to combat healthcare fraud. “This is the largest federal crackdown of its kind, and we will not let fraudsters escape accountability,” he stated during a recent press briefing. The operation has led to the indictment of 455 individuals, with prosecutors highlighting the combined fraud amount of over $6.5 billion as a testament to the widespread nature of these schemes.
“We are dismantling fraudulent networks that have siphoned public funds for years. No one is above the law when it comes to healthcare fraud.” – Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche
Medi-Cal Fraud Scheme
A major component of the Southern California crackdown is a scheme that defrauded California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, of nearly $270 million. Prosecutors allege that defendants used stolen identities to fabricate patient profiles, submitting fraudulent prescriptions for high-cost medications that contained low-cost generic ingredients. These claims were processed by Medi-Cal, resulting in over $178 million in payments. The case underscores how identity theft and medical billing manipulation can cripple state healthcare resources.
Christina Mareik, 61, of Whittier, is a central figure in the Medi-Cal scheme. Also known as Christina Marie Sanchez Hernandez, she is accused of orchestrating the fraudulent prescriptions. According to the Central District of California’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mareik sent thousands of prescriptions to a co-conspirator and also submitted claims under her own name. The scheme involved drugs that were either unnecessary or never dispensed, enabling the defendants to amass significant illicit profits.
Medicare Fraud Allegations
Separately, a man from the San Fernando Valley is accused of running hospice care companies that defrauded Medicare of approximately $27 million. The alleged scheme involved billing the federal program for services not rendered or overcharged. This case is part of the DOJ’s broader campaign against fraudulent practices, which includes schemes involving fake companies and stolen medical records. The indictment also includes three other Southern California defendants facing Medicare-related charges.
Alongside Mareik, Oren David Shachar, 59, of Van Nuys; Abraham Shin, 66, of Corona; and Jeannie Choi, 57, of Torrance, are accused of conspiring to defraud Medicare. Their indictment includes 16 counts, such as healthcare fraud and identity theft. These charges illustrate how fraudsters exploit both Medicaid and Medicare systems to siphon public funds, often through elaborate networks of deception.
Targeting Fugitives and Assets
As part of the DOJ’s Southern California crackdown, two fugitives have been added to the FBI’s “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list. These individuals are believed to have played pivotal roles in the schemes, evading capture for months. Their inclusion highlights the department’s focus on dismantling financial and legal strategies used to conceal fraudulent activities.
The broader 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown has already resulted in the prosecution of 455 defendants, with the Southern California cases representing a critical segment of this nationwide initiative. The alleged fraud spans multiple states and involves a variety of tactics, from forged documents to billing practices that exploit system loopholes. This comprehensive approach aims to protect healthcare programs and patients from ongoing financial harm.
