San Diego, CA – Five individuals from Southern California have been sentenced to prison for orchestrating a sophisticated Medicare fraud and money laundering scheme that defrauded the federal program of nearly $16 million, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The Fraud Scheme
The defendants were identified as:
- Juan Carlos Esparza, 33, of Valley Village
- Karpis Srapyan, 35, of Winnetka
- Susanna Harutyunyan, 39, of Winnetka
- Petros Fichidzhyan, 44, of Granada Hills
- Mihran Panosyan, 47, of Winnetka
From July 2019 through January 2023, the group allegedly operated four sham hospice companies that billed Medicare for hospice services that were medically unnecessary and, in many cases, never provided. To conceal their activity, the defendants used foreign nationals’ personal information as “straw owners” for the businesses, opening bank accounts, signing leases, and registering cell phones in their names.
Prosecutors said this allowed the scheme to remain undetected while Medicare paid the fraudulent hospices nearly $16 million over several years.
Money Laundering Operations
In addition to healthcare fraud, the group worked with associates to launder the stolen funds, moving money through multiple accounts and shell companies to hide the illegal proceeds. Authorities confirmed that the laundered funds were also used to purchase properties, including two homes that were later forfeited by the court.
Guilty Pleas and Sentencing
Several of the defendants pleaded guilty to charges related to healthcare fraud, identity theft, and money laundering:
- Petros Fichidzhyan pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud, aggravated identity theft, and concealment money laundering and was sentenced in May 2025 to 12 years in prison with $17,129,060 in restitution.
- Juan Carlos Esparza pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud and transactional money laundering, receiving a sentence of 57 months and restitution of $1,825,012 on November 17, 2025.
- Susanna Harutyunyan pleaded guilty to transactional money laundering, receiving 15 months in prison and restitution of $2,822,963.
- Karpis Srapyan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and transactional money laundering, sentenced in October 2025 to 57 months and restitution of $3,203,574.
- Mihran Panosyan pleaded guilty to concealment money laundering, sentenced in September 2025 to 57 months and restitution of $4,680,146.
In total, the government also seized $2,920,383 from bank accounts linked to the operation.
Federal Statement on Healthcare Fraud
The Department of Justice (DOJ) emphasized the impact of this type of criminal activity on federal healthcare programs. In a statement, the DOJ said:
“The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat healthcare fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion.”
Community and Public Safety Impact
Authorities noted that schemes like this not only steal taxpayer money but also undermine trust in critical healthcare programs, potentially putting vulnerable patients at risk. Prosecutors emphasized that those involved in healthcare fraud will face serious consequences, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial restitution.
Do you think current federal measures are enough to prevent healthcare fraud, or should there be stronger safeguards? Share your opinion in the comments below.
