PORTLAND, Ore. — Federal prosecutors in Oregon have charged two individuals accused of participating in separate health care fraud schemes that allegedly caused more than $17 million in losses to Medicare, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Veterans Health Administration and private insurers.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced the cases Tuesday as part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, a sweeping nationwide operation that resulted in charges against 455 defendants accused of submitting more than $6.5 billion in fraudulent claims.
“Health care fraud inflates costs, restricts access to critical services, and siphons taxpayer dollars from senior citizens, people with disabilities, low-income families, veterans, and others who rely on these federal programs,” Bradford said. “Strong coordination among local, state, national, and international partners is essential to protecting the integrity of our health care system and ensuring those who exploit it are held accountable.”
According to court documents, 34-year-old Jahangeer Ali, a citizen of Pakistan, was charged by information with health care fraud. Prosecutors allege that Ali owned Oregon Clinical Laboratory, which submitted fraudulent genetic testing claims to Medicare Advantage plans, resulting in losses exceeding $15 million. Authorities said beneficiaries and physicians listed in the claims had never heard of the laboratory and that the genetic tests were never performed.
In a separate case, 67-year-old Mehrdad Gerami of Coos Bay was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Prosecutors allege Gerami owned and operated Coastal Diagnostic Testing Group and Coastal Diagnostic, which submitted false claims for sleep studies to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Veterans Health Administration and private insurance companies. Investigators contend the tests were billed as having been conducted in-office when they were either performed at patients’ homes or not conducted at all. The alleged scheme resulted in losses of at least $2.1 million.
Dimitriana Nikolov, special agent in charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Western Pacific Field Office, said the investigation helps protect resources intended for veterans.
“Every dollar saved by investigating fraud helps ensure VA programs remain sustainable for the veterans who depend on them,” Nikolov said. “The VA OIG is committed to investigating those who exploit VA programs and thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for their collaboration to identify, investigate, and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.”
The nationwide enforcement effort spanned 56 federal districts and involved 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units, the largest number in Department of Justice history. Authorities said investigators used advanced data analytics to identify suspects and seized more than $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry and other assets.
Federal officials also announced administrative actions that included suspending more than 1,000 health care providers, revoking billing privileges for more than 1,400 providers, and initiating hundreds of actions related to controlled substance prescribing authority.
The Oregon cases were investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the FBI and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, in coordination with the Justice Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit.
Federal officials emphasized that the criminal informations filed against Ali and Gerami are allegations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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