The archive
throughline No. 238 November 2, 2026

Fifteen defendants charged in Los Angeles health care fraud

The claim is the product. A body broker, a chiropractor's diagnosis, a rented physician signature, and a hospice enrollment the patient did not choose all turn a care program into a billing pipe. The October 22 figures are alleged claims, except where a plea says the facts were admitted.

The claim is the product. A body broker, a chiropractor's diagnosis, a rented physician signature, and a hospice enrollment the patient did not choose all turn a care program into a billing pipe. The October 22 figures are alleged claims, except where a plea says the facts were admitted.

On October 22, 2026, the Justice Department charged 15 defendants, including six medical professionals, in Los Angeles schemes totaling over $1.8 billion in fraudulent claims.

Why it matters: A beneficiary can be placed on hospice without choosing it, and other care gets disrupted. An unnecessary artery procedure can injure the patient. The payment comes out of Medicare, Medi-Cal, or a private premium.

Date to watch: The October 22 release sets initial appearances for that afternoon and names no later sentencing date. Moore's guilty plea and Mladinich's plea agreement are not described as sentences.

Sources:

The Throughline decodes today's headline — with receipts. Every claim is sourced; links below.
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