Medicare Fraud Strike Force arrests 18 in Calif.

LOS ANGELES Eighteen people in the Los Angeles area were arrested Thursday on charges of defrauding Medicare with fake medical supply orders.

The suspects allegedly billed Medicare for medical supplies such as wheelchairs and hospital beds through front companies and clinics, intending to make more than $33 million, though their “patients” didn’t actually need them.

According to the indictment, one major player was Donald Noyola, who was paid to pose as head of Sycamore Medical Supply, though he had recently been released from prison and was a former gang member. By cooperating with prosecutors, he may avoid prosecution.