California Criminal Defense Blog

In 2009, a multi-agency unit, including the FBI and the California Attorney General, arrested 42 people suspected of Medi-Cal fraud. These defendants were accused of defrauding Medi-Cal out of $4.6 million, making it the largest single case of Medi-Cal fraud in California’s history.

The defendants allegedly billed Medi-Cal for in-home nursing services that were provided by unlicensed individuals. Some of these individuals had no medical training whatsoever, but performed nursing services that included administering medications, adjusting ventilators, and feeding through gastronomy tubes.

Medi-Cal fraud includes billing for unnecessary services, for drugs or other supplies that were never ordered, and for paying unauthorized individuals to perform medical services. The penalties can be severe, which is why it is important that anyone accused of this type of health insurance fraud consult with a criminal defense lawyer who has expertise in this complex area of the law.

Welfare fraud in California involves persons receiving benefits for which they are not eligible by way of providing false qualifying information. In most cases, the accused person failed to disclose income, assets or circumstances; the reporting of which would have disqualified her from further benefits.

California and the counties set strict criteria for who can receive welfare. The family must be sufficiently poor. Recipients must sign documents under penalty of perjury declaring all assets, sources of income, persons residing in the home and their contributions to the home.

Suppose, for example, that Betty is a single mother with two kids and no assets or income. Based on her circumstances, she qualifies for welfare and starts receiving benefits. But wanting to supplement her welfare income, she takes a "cash job" under the table as a receptionist. She also receives a new car as a gift from her parents. Knowing that reporting these developments would make her ineligible for benefits, she conceals them from the welfare office.

Continue reading "Welfare Fraud - How it Works" »

In late December 2008, KABC-TV Los Angeles put out a report regarding the pending arrest of county in-home care employees allegedly involved in over 700 cases of fraud. Over 174,000 residents of Los Angeles County receive in-home care from the Department of Social Services, and investigating officials allege that fraud is present within the program.

The news came less than two months after the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of 10 people on felony warrants for welfare fraud. DA officials allege that the individuals involved in the charges had defrauded welfare programs for more than $460,000 in money and services.

These two examples of fraud in Southern California illustrate the highly diverse nature of what are commonly called “white collar crimes.” White collar crime in Southern California is a loose set of non-violent criminal activity typically associated with business people, investors and other professionals in positions of trust.

Continue reading "Southern California Welfare Fraud" »

Federal authorities have arrested 18 people in the Los Angeles area on suspicion of filing more than $33 million of phony Medicare bills, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. Officials arrested the suspects Sept. 17 after searching six locations including a clinic in South Los Angeles, the article states.

The Los Angeles Medicare fraud charges against these clinic owners, medical professionals and owners of medical equipment companies involve allegations that fake claims were submitted for motorized wheelchairs, beds and other equipment. If convicted, some of those who have been charged with these federal crimes could face “dozens and even hundreds of years in prison.”

This story is a good example of how complicated and serious federal offenses can be. If you have been indicted, you need to find a criminal defense attorney who knows and understands how the federal courts work. Our Southern California federal crime defense attorneys have experience as former district attorneys who have prosecuted white collar crime. We have that rare ability to see a case from different points of view and use that experience to your advantage.

We understand how police and federal prosecutors investigate theft and fraud cases. So we are better able to identify the factors that can help build a strong defense. If you or someone you know has been accused of committing a federal crime, please call a Southern California Criminal Defense attorney for a free consultation.

Two former pastors of an Orange County church turned down a plea deal to serve a three-year prison term on charges of grand theft and conspiracy to commit fraud. According to an article in The Orange County Register , Richard and Philip Cunningham – father and son – turned down a plea bargain on the felony counts for which they could’ve faced up to six years in state prison.

Richard Cunningham was the founder of the Calvary Baptist Church of Yorba Linda in 1971 and his son, Philip, became the church’s senior pastor about 12 years ago. Both pleaded not guilty to the felony counts and a trial date is yet to be set, the Register reported.

However, this is not the Cunninghams’ last chance for a plea deal. The judge in this case has asked for a report from the county Probation Department, which will present the bulk of the evidence in favor of and against the two former pastors. For example, it could contain statements from those who support them as well as those who consider themselves their victims. When this report is presented at the next pre-trial hearing, both sides will have one more chance to work out a plea deal.

Prosecutors allege that the two have taken more than $3 million from the congregation and a school that is affiliated with the church. According to the article, the Cunninghams have since returned that amount of money to the church. Defense attorneys maintain that the losses that are being alleged are highly inflated and this is an attempt to take advantage of the Cunninghams.

An allegation of fraud or grand theft, as in this case, could have extremely serious repercussions including prison time. Our Orange County Criminal Defense attorneys take the time to listen to your side of the story. We conduct our independent investigation thoroughly. We have former prosecutors and former police investigators on our side. These are people who know how a prosecution compiles its case and what facts and details are missing or weak in that case.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a grand theft or fraud, call us for a free consultation. We will schedule an appointment to meet with you right away and find a way to get you the best possible result, be it reducing the charges, fines/penalties or getting you acquitted.