Imperial County Dentist Dr. Javad Aghaloo Sentenced for Medicare Fraud
In San Diego, a federal court sentenced 50-year-old Indio dentist Javad Aghaloo to 37 months in prison for committing Medicare fraud. Melissa Rosas, 42, from Calexico and Aghaloo’s former billing manager, received a sentence of three years of probation, including one year of home confinement, for her role in obstructing a Medicare audit.
Fraudulent Scheme and Sentencing
Aghaloo and Rosas, along with other accomplices, conspired to commit health care fraud by billing Medicare for procedures that were either not performed, not necessary, or not covered. Aghaloo admitted his guilt on October 2, 2023, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Rosas pleaded guilty on October 13, 2023, to obstructing a federal audit.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath condemned the exploitation of patients for profit. U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta ordered Aghaloo to forfeit property worth over $1 million and pay $8,476,466.23 in restitution to Medicare.
Recruitment and False Claims
Court records showed Aghaloo’s team recruiting Medicare beneficiaries for dental services at his Imperial County offices. They falsely advertised these services as Medicare-covered, despite knowing otherwise. At Aghaloo’s offices, they conducted procedures like tooth extractions and falsely billed Medicare for non-existent services, including bone grafts.
From March 2016 to October 2018, Aghaloo’s offices filed over 7,000 false Medicare claims, amounting to over $18 million. They fraudulently received $8,476,466.23 from these claims.
Cover-Up and Obstruction
Rosas and Theresa Flores, Aghaloo’s office manager, concealed their fraudulent activities by submitting false documents to Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC, a Medicare auditor, from April 2017 to October 2018. Flores, who has pleaded guilty to obstructing an audit, is scheduled for sentencing on March 8, 2024.
Charges and Legal Implications
The charges against Aghaloo and Rosas were severe:
- Aghaloo: Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, violating 18 U.S.C. § 371. Maximum penalty: five years in prison, $250,000 fine.
- Rosas: Obstructing a Federal Audit, violating 18 U.S.C. § 1516. Maximum penalty: five years in prison, $250,000 fine.
