Criminal Defense Blog
The recent arrests of 15 people in Los Angeles on more than 130 felony charges show the severe consequences you face if you commit insurance fraud.
Dr. Munir Uwaydah, a Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon, was among those charged with insurance fraud involving an alleged scheme to induce patients to undergo unnecessary surgeries. Uwaydah, along with members of his staff and his lawyer, allegedly billed more than $150 million to insurance companies and performed unnecessary surgeries while patients were under anesthesia. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office claims that one of their investigators pretended to be a patient while documenting office activities and collecting evidence of these allegations.1
Uwaydah and 14 other defendants will now face serious felony insurance fraud charges.
Felony insurance fraud is a serious crime.
Insurance fraud is a serious crime. But the term “insurance fraud” may not mean exactly what you think. Many different actions could cause you to be charged with insurance fraud. In this case, the defendant is alleged to have defrauded the insurance company into giving him money that he could use on personal expenses.
Uwaydah isn’t the only one facing charges for his alleged fraud. Office manager and personal assistant Kelly Soo Park is being implicated for her part in allegedly falsifying medical evaluations that recommended unneeded surgeries. Tatiana Torres Arnold, Uwaydah’s attorney, is also facing charges.
Among the 15 people allegedly involved in the insurance fraud scheme, 11 each face one count of conspiracy, three counts of unlawful client referrals, 18 counts of aggravated mayhem and 32 counts of insurance fraud.2 Four others are each being charged with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, money laundering, illegal patient referrals and fraudulent tax returns.3
Insurance fraud is a felony offense in California, and it carries serious consequences. If you are convicted of insurance fraud, you face two, three or five years in prison. The court can also order you to pay a $50,000 fine or double any amount you gained from the fraud in addition to paying back what was taken from the victim.4
Uwaydah has reportedly fled the country and is believed to be hiding from authorities in Germany. Uwaydah could face up to life in prison if he is extradited back to the Untied States and convicted.
Our fraud attorneys can help you now.
If you or a loved one has been charged with insurance fraud, you need to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. Our attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been successfully defending clients facing felony fraud charges for over 40 years. We will meet with you to review the facts of your case, and plan a defense strategy that will help you get the very best outcome possible.
With offices located in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich criminal defense attorney available to help you no matter where you work or live.
Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.
1. [http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-indictment-doctor-lawyer-massive-medical-fraud-20150915-story.html]↩
2. [http://da.co.la.ca.us/sites/default/files/press/091515_15_Indicted_in_150_Million_Insurance_Fraud_Patient_Scam_Conspiracy.pdf]↩
3. [Id.]↩
4. [Pen. Code, § 550]↩
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