Nearly 200 individuals across the United States now face charges for allegedly defrauding government health care plans of billions of dollars. Among those implicated are operators of sober treatment centers in Arizona, accused of deceiving Indigenous people from New Mexico by promising rehabilitation services that were never provided.
Several individuals shared their experiences of being lured with promises of a better life. “I went because they said they could help me with recovery and finding a job. I just wanted a fresh start,” explained one man who preferred to remain anonymous. Ashley Thompson recounted, “They kept trying to convince me to go a few times.”
The Justice Department has leveled charges against 193 people nationwide, alleging they orchestrated schemes that siphoned $2.75 billion through fraudulent health care claims. “Those accused today set up sham sober homes, exploiting individuals with substance abuse issues while billing health care systems for services they never delivered,” remarked FBI Executive Assistant Director Tim Langan.
In Arizona, Rita Anagho from Tusa Integrated Clinic faces allegations of orchestrating a $66 million billing fraud involving Medicaid. Investigators also implicated Adam Mutwol and Daud Koleosho, owners of Community Hope Wellness Center, in a $57 million scheme that allegedly involved receiving bribes for patient referrals.
“These schemes specifically targeted vulnerable Native Americans through fake sober living facilities that falsely claimed to offer addiction treatment and support,” noted Andrea Palm, deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The investigation, which involved cooperation from the Gallup Police Department and Navajo Nation police, uncovered links between missing persons cases in Gallup and Arizona facilities. Chief Erin Toadlena-Pablo of the Gallup Police Department emphasized, “Arizona played a critical role in uncovering these fraudulent insurance claims affecting Native American individuals.”
Discussing the tragic outcomes, Chief Toadlena-Pablo revealed, “There are some heartbreaking cases where missing individuals were found deceased in Arizona.” She emphasized the importance of prompt reporting for missing persons, stressing that time is crucial for both law enforcement and families involved in search efforts.