Takedown! DOJ Charges 455 Defendants in Connection With $6.5B+ in Alleged Healthcare Fraud

By the Constantine Cannon Whistleblower Team

On June 23, the DOJ announced the results of its “2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown,” bringing charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals. According to the DOJ, the defendants allegedly participated in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm.[1]

Who Did the List of Alleged Fraudsters Include?

The Takedown swept in individuals and organizations across the health care industry. It also included several international arrests and extraditions, including a defendant in Kyrenia connected with a $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia connected with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters, arrested in the Philippines, in connection with a previously charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme.[2]

What Was Seized?

Using advanced data analytics to identify the alleged fraudsters, investigators seized more than $182 million in cash, jewelry, luxury vehicles, and other assets.

What Types of Fraudulent Schemes Allegedly Occurred?

According to the DOJ, the charged conduct included alleged wound care fraud, fraudulent Medicare billing, Medicaid fraud involving adult day care centers, billing for medically unnecessary services, transnational fraud schemes, illegal opioid distribution, and much more.

The DOJ also announced several coordinated enforcement actions, including:

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) suspended 1,079 providers and revoked the billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
• HHS-OIG reported 48 Civil Monetary Penalties totaling over $73 million, more than 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 additional Civil Monetary Penalties Law actions. These actions seek recovery of more than $10 billion in Medicare payments CMS identified and suspended before the funds were disbursed.
• The DOJ filed civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
• The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated 928 administrative cases seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.[3]

Comments on the Takedown

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated: “This year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown represents the greatest whole-of-government effort to combat health care fraud in our Nation’s history.”[4]

Constantine Cannon attorney Dan Noel commented: “This enforcement action demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to combating healthcare fraud through coordinated efforts across multiple agencies. Whistleblowers remain among the government’s most valuable resources for uncovering complex fraud schemes like these.”

Were Whistleblowers Involved in this Takedown?

While it is unknown whether whistleblowers were involved in this historic takedown, whistleblowers are often instrumental in bringing important information to the government’s attention that might otherwise go unnoticed.

How Can Health Care Fraud Whistleblowers Speak Up?

Under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, eligible whistleblowers may bring lawsuits on behalf of the government and receive up to 30% of the government’s recovery on successful enforcement actions.

Our Firm Has Significant Experience Representing Health Care Fraud Whistleblowers

Constantine Cannon has substantial experience representing health care fraud whistleblowers under the False Claims Act.

If you would like to learn more about Constantine Cannon’s numerous False Claims Act successes or what it means to be a whistleblower, please contact us. We will connect you with the Constantine Cannon whistleblower team for a free and confidential consultation.

Speak Confidentially With Our Whistleblower Attorneys

[1] See https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/national-health-care-fraud-takedown-results-455-defendants-charged-connection-over-65.

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Id.

Tagged in: False Claims, Healthcare Fraud,