LOS ANGELES
A Larchmont-area woman was sentenced Monday to 35 months in federal prison for her role in a scheme that defrauded Medicare of more than $14 million through fraudulent hospice and diagnostic testing claims.
Sophia Shaklian, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr., who also ordered her to pay $14,103,043 in restitution.
Shaklian pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of health care fraud.
Prosecutors said that from March 2019 to August 2024, Shaklian and her co-schemers used multiple sham hospice and diagnostic testing companies — often operating under aliases — to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare for services that were unnecessary or never provided.
The scheme involved companies owned or controlled by Shaklian, including Chateau d’Lumina Hospice and Palliative Care in Pasadena and several diagnostic testing businesses in Sylmar, North Hollywood, Hollywood and Claremont.
Authorities said the conspirators used Medicare beneficiaries’ personal information to check eligibility and submit false claims for services the patients did not need, never received, or did not recognize.
In one instance, the group submitted a $2,000 fraudulent claim in November 2022 for diagnostic testing that was never performed.
Shaklian admitted she participated in billing and was aware of reimbursement amounts, contributing to at least $14.1 million in losses to Medicare.
A co-defendant, Alex Alexsanian, 48, also known as “Samvel” and “Samo,” of Burbank, pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison at his April 28 sentencing.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Sophia Shaklian, 38, of Larchmont (Los Angeles)
- Sentence: 35 months in federal prison
- Restitution: $14,103,043
- Charge: Health care fraud (guilty plea in November 2025)
- Scheme period: March 2019 – August 2024
- Fraud method: False Medicare claims for hospice and diagnostic services not provided or unnecessary
- Loss amount: At least $14.1 million
- Example: $2,000 false diagnostic claim submitted in November 2022
- Co-defendant: Alex Alexsanian, 48, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy; sentencing set for April 28 (max 20 years)