Glendale Clinic Owner Sentenced for Medicare Fraud
Violetta Mailyan receives 15 years in prison for her role in a $45 million fraudulent billing scheme.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Financial Crime
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A federal court sentenced Glendale resident Violetta Mailyan to 15 years in prison for orchestrating a $45 million Medicare fraud scheme through her business, Healthy Way Medical Center. The court also ordered the forfeiture of over $16 million in assets and mandated $32.9 million in restitution to Medicare.
Why it matters
The case highlights aggressive federal efforts to combat medical billing abuse that drains public resources. By falsifying records and billing for services while the clinic was closed, Mailyan exploited the healthcare system for personal gain.
A jury convicted Mailyan on nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of obstruction of a criminal investigation. She was ordered to pay $32,904,049.41 in restitution and forfeit $16,029,742 in assets.
The players
Violetta Mailyan
The owner and operator of the Healthy Way Medical Center who was convicted for her role in a multi-million dollar Medicare fraud scheme.
Healthy Way Medical Center
A medical facility based in Glendale that was used as the vehicle for submitting fraudulent Medicare claims.
The details
Mailyan submitted over $19 million in claims while her clinic was closed and continued billing for services while vacationing in places like Mexico and Hawaii. She furthered the scheme by forging beneficiary signatures and using illicit funds to purchase luxury items, including a $12,000 crossbow and two Tesla vehicles.
Timeline
2007: The Strike Force Program began tracking fraudulent billing activity.
April 7, 2026: The Department of Justice created the Fraud Division.
May 2026: A jury convicted Mailyan on fraud and obstruction counts.
October 29, 2026: The court sentenced Mailyan to 15 years in prison.
Legal Context
This conviction follows the operational pattern established by the Strike Force Program, which has been tracking fraudulent billing since 2007. The case contributes to the broader federal crackdown on healthcare fraud that has involved over 6,200 defendants to date.
This case underscores the federal government's commitment to protecting the Medicare trust fund from exploitation by private providers. Local residents should remain vigilant in reviewing their own Medicare statements to identify and report any unauthorized charges.
The takeaway
This case serves as a reminder that extensive digital and physical record-keeping is used by federal agents to track fraud across state and international lines. Taxpayers are encouraged to monitor their benefits regularly to ensure services billed were actually received.
Further reading
For more information on national enforcement efforts, visit the Financial Crime section.
More information
View official Health Care Fraud Unit information to learn more about current federal investigations.
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