{"id":61727,"date":"2026-09-09T22:40:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T05:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=61727"},"modified":"2026-09-09T22:40:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T05:40:11","slug":"man-gets-30-years-for-270-million-medi-cal-fraud-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=61727","title":{"rendered":"Man Gets 30 Years for $270 Million Medi-Cal Fraud Scheme"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"DoctorLOS ANGELES<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2014An Orange County man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in federal prison for orchestrating a massive health care fraud scheme that submitted nearly $270 million in bogus prescription drug claims to Medi-Cal in less than a year, officials said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul Richard Randall, 67, of Orange, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi, who ordered him to pay $178.7 million in restitution.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Justice Department called it one of the longest health care fraud sentences in the history of California\u2019s Central District.<\/span><\/p>\n

Randall pleaded guilty in April to one count of wire fraud committed while he was free pending sentencing in another federal criminal case.<\/span><\/p>\n

Temporary Rule Change Exploited<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"\"person<\/a>Federal prosecutors said Randall and his co-conspirators exploited Medi-Cal\u2019s temporary suspension of prior-authorization requirements while the state program transitioned to a new prescription drug payment system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through Monte Vista Pharmacy, the group billed Medi-Cal tens of millions of dollars each month for costly, noncontracted generic drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prosecutors said the medications were medically unnecessary, frequently were never provided to patients and were obtained through illegal kickbacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

$13,424 Charged for a Generic Drug<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"\"white<\/a>The drugs included pain creams and Folite tablets, an over-the-counter vitamin.<\/span><\/p>\n

In one example cited by prosecutors, Medi-Cal was billed approximately $13,424 for a prescription of 5-milligram meloxicam. A 30-day supply of the generic drug in larger doses typically costs between $5 and $25.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kickbacks for Patient Information and Prescriptions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Prosecutors said Randall paid kickbacks to patient marketers for Medi-Cal beneficiary information.<\/span><\/p>\n

He also paid nurse practitioner Patricia Anderson, 59, of West Hills, to sign prefilled prescriptions.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to court documents, Anderson never met the patients, reviewed their medical records or determined whether the medications were medically necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medi-Cal Paid Nearly $179 Million<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"WestFrom May 2022 through April 2023, Randall caused at least $269.1 million in fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medi-Cal. The state program paid approximately $178.7 million of those claims.<\/span><\/p>\n

Randall and his co-conspirators also transferred fraud proceeds through a third party to pay Anderson hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks, prosecutors said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luxury Cars, Properties and Sports Memorabilia Seized<\/span><\/h2>\n

As part of his plea agreement, Randall agreed to forfeit more than $17 million in bank accounts, three vehicles, seven properties and sports memorabilia.<\/span><\/p>\n

The government has seized approximately $126.5 million in assets connected to the scheme. The haul included $111 million in bank funds and securities, nine luxury vehicles worth approximately $1 million, nine luxury properties valued at about $13.5 million and more than $1 million in sports memorabilia.<\/span><\/p>\n

CBS News previously reported that the seized property included Ferraris, Lamborghinis, game-worn Kobe Bryant shoes and Mickey Mantle baseball cards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Federal and State Agencies Investigated<\/span><\/h2>\n

The FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the California Department of Justice investigated the case.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Fact Checklist<\/span><\/h2>\n

\ud83d\udd34 Defendant:<\/strong> Paul Richard Randall, 67, of Orange<\/span>
\ud83d\udd34 Sentence:<\/strong> 30 years in federal prison<\/span>
\ud83d\udd34 Restitution:<\/strong> $178,746,556.22<\/span>
\ud83d\udd34 Fraudulent claims:<\/strong> At least $269,120,829<\/span>
\ud83d\udd34 Amount Medi-Cal paid:<\/strong> Approximately $178.7 million<\/span>
\ud83d\udd34 Scheme period:<\/strong> May 2022 through April 2023<\/span>
\ud83d\udd34 Pharmacy:<\/strong> Monte Vista Pharmacy<\/span>
\ud83d\udd34 Charge:<\/strong> Wire fraud committed while on release<\/span>
\ud83d\udd34 Assets seized:<\/strong> Approximately $126.5 million<\/span>
\ud83d\udd34 Investigators:<\/strong> FBI, HHS-OIG and California Department of Justice<\/span>
\ud83d\udd34 Judge:<\/strong> U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi<\/span><\/p>\n

Video<\/span><\/h2>\n