4 charged in $3 billion healthcare fraud linked to Russian organized crime

The US Department of Justice has charged 4 individuals with involvement in a $3 billion Medicare fraud and money laundering scheme allegedly connected to a Russian organized crime group.

Scraper SystemJune 26, 2026, 09:40 AM

4 charged in $3 billion healthcare fraud linked to Russian organized crime

The US Department of Justice has charged four individuals in New Hampshire for their alleged involvement in a $3 billion Medicare fraud and money laundering scheme linked to a Russian organized crime group.

The investigation was launched after thousands of people received Medicare 'Explanation of Benefits' (EOB) forms for durable medical equipment (DME) they never ordered or received. Officials said the criminal network operated the largest identity theft-based healthcare fraud scheme ever prosecuted, targeting Medicare, other government-funded health insurance programs, and private insurance companies.

Defendants and charges

Fructoso de Jesus Gomez Agudelo, 76, of Nashua, is charged with electronic fraud and identity theft. He is accused of using another US citizen's identity for over 20 years to obtain more than $500,000 in public benefits from Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, housing assistance, and food assistance programs.

Kakha Bendeliani, 48, a Georgian national, and Goga Danelia, 31, also a Georgian national, were charged with conspiracy to launder money by submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare. Bendeliani allegedly opened accounts at six different US banks as the 'purported owner' of the shell company Centennial Med Supply LLC, and withdrew $12,589,770 from the $3 billion urinary catheter billing fraud for the Russian transnational criminal organization. He is said to have laundered the money through cashier's checks and transferred over $12.5 million to accounts abroad.

Danelia is accused of assisting Bendeliani, who does not speak English and does not drive, by serving as his driver and interpreter during banking transactions, playing a key role in opening accounts, withdrawing cash, and sending funds overseas.

Rima Gerges-Maalouf, 60, of Massachusetts, was charged with stealing controlled prescription drugs while working as a temporary pharmacist in New Hampshire. According to the Justice Department, she stole 147 pills or capsules in one month in August 2024, swallowing some while on duty.

Reactions and penalties

New Hampshire Attorney General Erin Creegan said in a statement on the charges, 'These charges reveal the staggering scale of fraud and money laundering that Transnational Criminal Organizations are willing to inflict on our healthcare system and the people of New Hampshire.'

All defendants face decades in prison if convicted.

4 charged in $3 billion healthcare fraud linked to Russian organized crime

The US Department of Justice has charged 4 individuals with involvement in a $3 billion Medicare fraud and money laundering scheme allegedly connected to a Russian organized crime group.