DOJ launches West Coast healthcare fraud strike force with Arizona focus

PHOENIX – The Justice Department on Wednesday announced a new West Coast healthcare fraud strike force that will target scams in Arizona, Nevada and Northern California.

The task force brings together Justice Department fraud prosecutors, the U.S. attorneys’ offices and investigators from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Health and Human Services inspector general’s office.

At a news conference Thursday, U.S. Attorneys said they will use data analysis and coordinated investigations to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud involving Medicare, Medicaid and other health care programs.

Feds busted billions in Arizona healthcare fraud last year

“Defrauding the government steals from Americans who need help the most,” Arizona U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said in a statement. “In Arizona alone, federal law enforcement and the United States Attorney’s Office have disrupted fraud schemes worth over a billion dollars of taxpayer money.”

Federal officials pointed to a $1.2 billion Arizona wound graft fraud case that led to prison sentences of 15.5 and 14 years for two company owners, along with the seizure of $126 million in assets.

They also highlighted charges against the owner of a Pakistan-based medical billing company accused of helping substance abuse clinics fraudulently bill Arizona Medicaid more than $650 million.

Courchaine said the new strike force’s goal is to protect patients and public money.

We welcome the extra support to combat fraud in Arizona. Since exposing the massive sober living home fraud scheme in Arizona in 2023, my office has indicted over 165 individuals and entities in connection with these schemes. We will keep fighting to root out fraud every day. https://t.co/mvEp3AFfii

— AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes (@AZAGMayes) April 30, 2026

“Our mission as part of the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force is to ensure Americans who need critical services are not used as pawns to make bad actors rich,” he said.

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