A 24-count federal grand jury indictment of more than $54 million in alleged Medicare fraud involves a Los Angeles-area radiology practice and several independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs).
Sophia Shaklian, 36, of Los Angeles, and Alex Alexsanian, 47, of Burbank, CA, were arrested, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Central District of California. They are accused of laundering money they received from Medicare to buy $6 million in gold bars and coins, the DOJ said.
The alleged scheme took place between March 2019 and August 2024. Shaklian often used aliases and managed and submitted claims for seven healthcare providers, including the Pasadena, CA-based Chateau d’Lumina Hospice and Palliative Care and several IDTFs, including the following:
- Saint Gorge Radiology in Sylmar, CA
- Hope Diagnostics in North Hollywood, CA
- Direct Imaging and Diagnostics and Lab One -- both in Hollywood, CA
- Labtech and Lifescan Diagnostics in Claremont, CA
Alexsanian allegedly directed a foreign national (who then left the country) to open a radiology practice and acquire a hospice company. Alexsanian then had control over the companies and bank accounts, explained an October 9 DOJ news release.
Alexsanian and Shaklian received more than $23 million in Medicare reimbursements. Shaklian allegedly laundered Medicare funds paid to Chateau by transferring them to accounts in the name of “Varsenic Babaian,” a fake identity, the DOJ said.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment on October 2. If convicted of all charges, Shaklian will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each healthcare fraud count and up to 20 years in federal prison for each money laundering count. Alexsanian will face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count.
