California Authorities Charge Fifteen in Healthcare Fraud
Federal agents arrested eight suspects in connection to a massive medical billing scheme across Southern California.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Fifteen individuals, including at least six doctors, face charges for their alleged roles in a complex healthcare fraud operation in Southern California. Authorities conducted early morning raids on October 22 to apprehend eight of the suspects.
Why it matters
The crackdown is part of a broader administrative push to eliminate abuse within federal aid and insurance programs. Federal authorities are investigating how fraudulent medical practices and benefit schemes have siphoned billions in public funds.
Fifteen individuals, including six doctors, face felony charges, with eight suspects currently in federal custody following coordinated raids. Hany Malek and Harold Tabaie were indicted on multiple counts of healthcare and bank fraud.
The players
Hany Malek
A 61-year-old chiropractor who allegedly posed as a doctor to refer patients for unnecessary procedures.
Harold Tabaie
A 78-year-old physician facing four counts of healthcare fraud related to an atherectomy billing scheme.
The details
Chiropractor Hany Malek is accused of posing as a doctor to refer patients for unnecessary atherectomy procedures, leading to over $130 million in improper Medicaid billings. The scheme involving Malek and Tabaie reportedly generated $134 million in total revenue from these medical operations.
Timeline
September 2026 marked the period when $40 million in national SNAP fraud was tracked.
October 20, 2026, saw the announcement of a whistleblower reward program.
October 21, 2026, was when federal officials announced national SNAP fraud indictments.
October 22, 2026, was the date federal agents executed arrest warrants and raids.
Legal Context
These indictments align with an aggressive national effort to curb the abuse of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This case represents a broader legal push to prosecute fraud within federally funded healthcare and social benefit systems.
The investigation highlights ongoing efforts to secure taxpayer funds by rooting out systemic fraud in medical and aid programs. Residents should be aware that these enforcement actions are intended to protect the solvency of essential public services.
The takeaway
Healthcare fraud operations often rely on the exploitation of complex billing codes for unnecessary procedures. Patients should always verify the medical necessity of major treatments and report any suspicious billing activity to relevant authorities.
Further reading
Learn more about local oversight in our California Financial Crime section.
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Do you trust that federal government crackdowns are effectively reducing fraud in public aid programs?
