Category: Fraud

Man Sentenced After Buying Homes, Luxury Cars With $24 Million In Fraudulently Obtained COVID Relief

A man from Coppell, Texas, was sentenced Wednesday to more than 11 years in prison for running a fraudulent scheme to receive about $24.8 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced. Dinesh Sah, 55, pleaded guilty in March to wire fraud and money-laundering offenses, according to a press release….


Feds Announce Medicare Claims Settlement with Placentia Company

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A Placentia-based company has agreed to pay $2 million to resolve a federal complaint that the U.S. Attorney’s Office said was triggered by Medicare claims for rehabilitation therapy that was considered unreasonable or unnecessary, officials said July 23. The settlement covers claims made from Jan. 1, 2006, through Oct. 10, 2014, from Interface…


 Ex-Union President from Glendora Sentenced to Two Years for Embezzlement

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A former union president from Glendora was sentenced July 22 to 28 months in federal prison for abusing her leadership position to embezzle union funds—behavior that depleted the union’s bank accounts and led her to double the dues paid by union members. Aja Ann Jasmin, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael…


Michael Avenatti Faces Embezzlement Trial in California

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Michael Avenatti, the brash lawyer recently sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison a $25 million extortion case in New York, is expected to face a trial Wednesday in California on charges he embezzled millions from his clients. Opening statements are scheduled in Santa Ana in the second trial this month for Avenatti….


Trump Says Arizona Election Hearing Shows Enough ‘Fraud and Voting Irregularities’ to Change Election Outcome

Former President Donald Trump issued a statement on Friday saying that the Arizona Senate hearings on the Maricopa County election audit show sufficient levels of fraud and voting irregularities to change the outcome of the presidential election. “Arizona has strong State Senators willing to fight for the truth,” Trump said in a July 16 statement, adding…


The Role of Data Science in Improving Customer Satisfaction

The world’s most successful companies set their focus on customer satisfaction. The reason being that customers leave organizations where they are not satisfied with the service. New products with unique and improved features will continue to pop up in the market. Still, the customer would rather continue doing business with companies that serviced them well…


Southern California Men Face Sentencing in Document Mill Case

LOS ANGELES—Two San Fernando Valley men face federal prison terms July 12 for participating in a document-trafficking ring that created and sold counterfeit United States passport cards, Social Security cards, driver’s licenses and other documents. Carlos A. Hernandez, 44, of Granada Hills, pleaded guilty in February to one federal count each of conspiracy and being…


Fraudsters Use COVID-19 Relief Funds to Buy Luxury Homes, Jewelry

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Sentencing is scheduled Sept. 13 for four Los Angeles residents found guilty of scheming to submit fraudulent loan applications under which they and their co-defendants obtained more than $18 million in COVID-19 relief funds used to put down-payments on luxury homes in Tarzana, Glendale and Palm Desert and purchase jewelry and other high-end…


Kaiser Alleges $5 Million in Losses in PPE Purchase Scheme

LOS ANGELES—Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. is suing a company and a former Kaiser employee for allegedly defrauding the health plan out of millions of dollars as it raced to meet the challenges of having sufficient personal protective equipment for its medical staff during the pandemic. The allegations in Kaiser’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit…


Former Irvine Officer Pleads Guilty to Overtime Pay Scam

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A former Irvine police officer pleaded guilty June 23 and was immediately sentenced to a year in jail for stealing about $68,000 by putting in for overtime he never worked. Matthew Christian August, 49, of Aliso Viejo, was also placed on three years of formal probation upon pleading guilty to 34 felony counts…