California charges 21 in $267M hospice-fraud bust
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the dismantling of a major hospice fraud scheme that defrauded the state of about $267 million, with 21 people charged in Los Angeles.
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Fraud
All articles tagged with #fraud
Trump admin retracts key NY health-care fraud claims
AP Exclusive: The Trump administration concedes a major error in its New York health-care fraud accusations, signaling a reassessment of the case as CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz discusses ongoing fraud-fighting efforts.
Masked Cash for Signatures Shakes California Ballot Drive
Masked men in San Francisco’s Tenderloin offered $5 and pizza to sign petitions for California ballot measures, underscoring a money‑driven, high‑stakes signature‑gathering season where some signatures can be worth up to $15. Paying signatories is illegal, and authorities are investigating potential fraud as campaigns funded by major donors race to qualify initiatives for the ballot. Critics warn the tactic preys on vulnerable residents and threatens election integrity, while organizers say signatures will be vetted and invalid entries discarded.
CMS retracts Mehmet Oz fraud claim after NY Medicaid miscount revealed
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services admitted that Mehmet Oz’s claim that New York’s Medicaid provided around 5 million people with personal care services was incorrect. The actual number was about 450,000 (roughly 6–7% of enrollees), due to a billing-code misinterpretation. CMS said it will refine its methodology and continue the fraud probe as part of a broader anti-fraud effort across states, with New York officials and Gov. Hochul insisting Oz’s mischaracterizations were inaccurate.
SF human-rights chief accused of siphoning public funds for luxury perks
A former head of San Francisco’s Human Rights Commission and her partner face 17 felony charges for allegedly steering about $4.5 million of city funds to a private nonprofit for personal perks—lavish travel, event tickets, book promotions, and other expenses—often evading oversight. Audits describe frivolous, self-serving spending (including luxury hotel stays and large-ticket events) and note weak governance of the Dream Keeper Initiative meant to aid SF’s Black communities, raising questions about accountability for city programs.
Vance: federal fraud under $1.5M goes unprosecuted, vows crackdown on major offenders
Vice President J.D. Vance says the federal government doesn’t prosecute fraud under $1.5 million annually and announces a new DOJ-backed task force to pursue all fraud and hold higher‑level offenders accountable, while commenting on alleged schemes in Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community.
Vance launches national anti-fraud task force with inaugural meeting
Vice President JD Vance announced the creation of a national Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and led its first meeting, signaling an aggressive crackdown on misuse of public funds, including a temporary halt to some Medicaid funding in Minnesota.
NFLPA Warns Agents of Fraud Scheme Targeting Players via Apple Phishing and Coerced Sex Acts
The NFL Players Association alerted certified agents that NFL and NBA players may have been targeted by a fraud and sex-trafficking scheme in which a man posing as an adult-film star phished players’ Apple iCloud accounts, stole credit-card information, and coerced a female victim into sex acts with athletes; the suspect, Kwamaine Jerell Ford, has been indicted on multiple counts, with prosecutors saying the operation began in 2020 while he was in federal custody. The NFLPA says all agents have a link to assess whether players were targeted and urges players to contact their agent or the NFLPA if they suspect victimization and to report to the FBI.
Tiny Shortcuts, Major Fallout: The Credibility Crisis in Science
The article argues public trust in science is eroding as researchers repeatedly publish overconfident results shaped by tweaking—manipulating research design or data to fit desired outcomes—leading to replication failures and rising retractions. It frames fraud, honest error, and a murky middle, cites cases like Diederik Stapel, and contends that even small shortcuts distort findings and public confidence. It calls for clearer definitions, stronger transparency, and better communication of uncertainties to restore credibility.
Jury Finds Musk Liable for Fraud in Twitter Buyout
A San Francisco jury ruled that Elon Musk’s May 2022 tweets about Twitter’s bot accounts were materially false or misleading and found he defrauded Twitter investors in the $44 billion deal, with potential damages exceeding $2.6 billion; the panel rejected broader fraud claims and Musk said he will appeal.
Jury Rules Musk Misled Twitter Investors in 2022 Buyout
A San Francisco jury found Elon Musk defrauded Twitter investors during the $44 billion 2022 takeover, ruling that his May 13 and May 17 tweets about bot counts were false or misleading. The verdict did not find a broader fraud scheme, but damages per share and per stock option for the May 13–Oct 3, 2022 period could total over $2.6 billion, with Musk planning to appeal.
DiBiase Jr. Faces Decades in Mississippi Welfare-Fund Fraud Case Over Lavish Purchases
Former WWE star Ted DiBiase Jr. is accused in Mississippi’s largest public-corruption case of siphoning TEFAP and TANF welfare funds to his shell companies, using roughly $3 million (2017–2018) to buy a $1.4 million home, a $55,000 pontoon boat and other luxury items, with prosecutors saying the money was misused to fund lavish purchases; he faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted.
South End landlord sues Croft School founder over alleged forged LOC in $14M lease dispute
A South End building owner filed a Suffolk Superior Court suit against Croft School founder Scott Given and the Croft School, alleging a fraudulent lease process built on a forged $500,000 letter of credit from Leader Bank to secure a 10-year lease. The owners seek at least $14 million in damages ($10M for breach of lease plus $4.3M for loss in building value) and want the court to attach Given’s assets. Given has been suspended amid alleged financial irregularities as the school contends with finances and controversy over its expansion into the site formerly used by Foodie's.
Former Amazon Delivery Boss Convicted in $10 Million Fraud Linked to Luxury Cars and a $1 Million Home
A federal jury convicted Brittany Hudson, operator of Legend Express LLC contracted by Amazon, on 30 counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and forgery for stealing nearly $10 million through fake invoices. The funds funded a $1 million home in Smyrna and luxury vehicles (Lamborghini Urus, Dodge Durango, Tesla Model X, Porsche Panamera) and a Kawasaki motorcycle, in a scheme with her girlfriend Kayricka Wortham who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years with restitution. Hudson’s sentencing is set for June.
Trump administration expands Medicaid fraud crackdown in Florida
The Trump administration, via CMS leadership, unveils a new crackdown on Medicaid fraud in Florida, with a White House news conference led by CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz highlighting enforcement actions and investigations.