Democrat officials in California are suddenly interested in prosecuting hospice fraudsters after the Justice Department created a division dedicated to arresting fraudsters.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) on Thursday announced his office charged 21 suspects in a $267 million hospice fraud ring in Southern California.
Five of the 21 suspects have been arrested so far.
“California Attorney General Rob Bonta, together with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), today announced charges filed against 21 suspects and the dismantling of a major hospice fraud scheme that defrauded California of $267 million,” Bonta’s office said.
“Operation Skip Trace resulted in the arrest of five people after ten different locations were searched in Southern California. In addition, two handguns and over $757,000 in cash were seized,” Bonta’s office announced.
“Investigators found that those involved purchased personal identifying information for people living outside of California on the dark web, then enrolled them in Covered California by posing as California residents,” Fox News reported.
“Straw owners” then bought a number of hospice companies and began billing Medi-Cal for services never provided to those stolen identities. The suspects used fake records, nonexistent offices, and fraudulent diagnoses to justify these claims, Bonta said.” – the outlet said.
“This isn’t a political game for us. This is about protecting taxpayer dollars, protecting the programs that sick and vulnerable Californians rely on, and protecting our state,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta.
“Over the life of this fraud scheme, not a single legitimate hospice service was ever provided yet millions were billed in a brazen, calculated scheme that exploited the Medi-Cal system. This wasn’t a mistake or a loophole; it was deliberate fraud. This kind of abuse undermines trust, drains critical resources, and threatens care for those who truly depend on it. This is a perfect example that we have taken a firm stand to investigate, prosecute, and shut down hospice fraud wherever it exists,” he said.
WATCH:
BREAKING: California AG Rob Bonta announces a major hospice fraud “bust” in Los Angeles County, alleging that the scheme defrauded Medi-Cal of $267 million.
“So, just to be clear, a quarter billion dollars…funds that are paid for by Californian taxpayers, funds that are meant… pic.twitter.com/Gc3SwMigr9
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 9, 2026
“For years, California has led the charge to protect public programs from fraud and abuse,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
“We hold accountable to the fullest extent of the law anyone who tries to rip off taxpayers and take advantage of public programs, particularly those as sensitive as hospice care. I thank the Department of Health Care Services and the California DOJ’s Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse for their swift work to bring these charges forward…” Newsom added.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche trolled Bonta.
👏Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
cc: @TheJusticeDept https://t.co/fdsTG3mL7q
— Acting AG Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) April 9, 2026
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