Federal authorities have announced that four more individuals have been arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in a case of fraudulently obtaining federal Medicare benefits through Done Health, a healthcare company based in California.
Prior to this latest arrest operation on June 27th, the U.S. Department of Justice had already arrested the founder and CEO of Done Global (the parent company of Done Health) in Los Angeles on the 13th, as well as the clinical director of Done Health in San Rafael, California. These two executives are suspected of being involved in a scheme worth one billion dollars, illegally distributing the ADHD medication Adderall (containing amphetamine) and other stimulants to patients.
The June 27th operation is part of a two-week nationwide law enforcement action by the Justice Department to combat “national healthcare fraud,” with a total of 193 individuals facing criminal charges. The defendants are accused of participating in over $27.5 billion in fraudulent billing to Medicare and Medicaid (commonly known as the red and blue cards). Federal prosecutors have disclosed the discovery of over $2.31 billion in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the latest charges related to the Done Health case have been filed in the Northern District of California federal court. Deputy U.S. Attorney Matthew Yelovich stated that “each defendant is accused of playing a role in the fraudulent scheme by improperly dispensing drugs through online services and submitting fraudulent drug reimbursement claims to Medicare and Medicaid.”
The four arrested defendants include 30-year-old corporate executive Riley Levy from Peoria, Arizona; 58-year-old physician Christopher Lucchese from Plano, Texas; 37-year-old practicing nurse Yina Cruz from Glenwood, New Jersey; and 70-year-old practicing nurse Katrina Pratcher from Altadena, California. They are charged in connection with a conspiracy related to the alleged illegal distribution of Adderall and other stimulants by Done Health.
After the initial arrests by the Justice Department, Done Global issued a statement on June 18th refuting the allegations. Ava Bostock, a representative of the company and a partner at a Los Angeles public relations firm, stated in a declaration to The Epoch Times, “Done Global strongly opposes the criminal charges brought against our founder Lucia He and Dr. David Brody, which are primarily based on events that occurred between February 2020 and January 2023.”
The statement also expressed that “Done Global has been committed to providing mental health care to tens of thousands of Americans caught in a continuously escalating national crisis since its inception.” According to the statement, the company will continue its operations and provide health care services to its clients.