New York Medicare Fraud Suspect Arrested at Kennedy Airport

Maksim Shelikhov, a 27 year old medical worker, was arrested at Kennedy Airport, as he returned from Canada this week.

Shelikhov, who was part of the 12 people charged in New York last week, had remained at large since the indictments were unsealed. He is accused of money laundering and health care fraud.

His mother, Irina Shelikhova, is still wanted and has not been arrested yet.

The investigation into the clinics owned by Dr. Gustave Drivas was ongoing between 2005 and 2010. During this time, it is alleged that workers at the clinic submitted bills to Medicare for treatments that did not occur or provided kickbacks to patients who accepted unneeded treatments.

During this time, they billed Medicare for at least $71 million and received around $47 million as payments.

Hidden cameras and microphones were used to catch workers at Bay Medical Care, SZS Medical Care, and SVS Wellcare Medical as they allegedly bribed patients. These health care providers offered allergy, physical, and nerve therapies.

Drivas, who was the owner or a major partner at all offices, as well as being a primary care physician, is accused of being the ring leader. The federal government is seeking to seize the properties involved, as well as individual bank accounts and residences.

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