Press Release
For Immediate Release
June 26, 2009

Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending June 26, 2009

1. Detroit: Fifty-Three Indicted in Health Care Fraud Investigation

As a result of the continuing operation of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Detroit, 53 individuals were indicted for schemes to submit more than $50 million in false Medicare claims. The Strike Force is the third phase of a targeted criminal, civil, and administrative effort against individuals and health care companies that fraudulently bill the Medicare program. Full Story

2. Miami: Eight Charged in Multi-Million Dollar Medicare Fraud Scheme

Eight Miami residents were charged in a 20-count indictment alleging two Medicare fraud conspiracies. The first conspiracy alleges that purported medical clinics in Miami-Dade County submitted at least $50.2 million in false claims to Medicare for various treatments. The second conspiracy alleges seven defendants in a five-state Medicare Advantage fraud scheme that submitted at least $19.8 million in false claims to carious private insurance companies. Full Story

3. Los Angeles: Racketeering Indictment Names Two Dozen MS-13 Members and Associates

In the first indictment in Los Angeles to allege racketeering charges against the MS-13 gang, members, leaders and associates were arrested after the return of a federal indictment charging 24 defendants, including the executive director of a non-profit gang intervention organization with violations ranging from murder and conspiracy to commit murder and extortion to narcotics trafficking. Full Story

4. Chicago/Newark: Hal Turner Arrested for Threatening Three Judges

Internet radio talk show host and blogger Hal Turner was arrested by FBI agents at his home in North Bergen, New Jersey, on a federal complaint filed in Chicago alleging that he made Internet postings threatening to assault and murder three federal appeals court judges in Chicago in retaliation for their recent ruling upholding handgun bans in Chicago and a suburb. Full Story

5. Chicago: Forty-One Defendants Charged in Five New Area Mortgage Fraud Cases

Forty-one defendants were charged in connection with various mortgage fraud schemes in five separate cases made public by federal law enforcement officials. Together the cases involve more than $48 million in fraudulently-obtained mortgages. Full Story

6. New York: New Jersey Man Sentenced for Providing Material Support to Hizballah

Saleh Elahwal was sentenced to 17 months in prison for providing material support to Hizballah. Through a satellite transmission company he helped operate, Elahwal provided satellite transmission services to al-Manar, a Lebanon-based television station operated by Hizballah and designed to cultivate support for Hizballah’s activities and mission. Full Story

7. Los Angeles: Safe Streets Task Force Makes Arrests in Narcotics Distribution Case

Thirty-four defendants were charged with narcotics and firearms violations arising from an alleged conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine in and around San Bernardino and Redlands under the oversight of the Mexican Mafia. Full Story

8. New York: Investment Advisor Pleads Guilty in $30 Million Ponzi Scheme

Edward T. Stein, an investment advisor based in Roslyn, New York, pleaded guilty to a five-count felony information charging him for his role in defrauding his clients in a $30 million Ponzi scheme. Full Story

9. Oklahoma City: Federal and State Officials Unite to Prevent Stimulus Funding Fraud

Federal and state officials in Oklahoma announced cooperative efforts to prevent, detect, and deter fraud involving stimulus funding in Oklahoma. As part of this effort, a hotline has been created to report fraud, waste, and abuse of stimulus funds statewide. Full Story

10. Kansas City: Scam Targeting Families of Deployed U.S. Military Personnel

The Kansas City Division issued a warning about scammers using social networking sites to contact relatives, usually grandparents, of deployed U.S. military personnel. The perpetrators of the scam ask for funds to help pay for car repairs for a family member making a surprise return from military duty. Full Story

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