Acting United States Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced criminal charges and a civil settlement in Seattle as part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The actions include charges against an anesthesiology resident for diverting narcotic pain medication and a settlement with a medical practice over false billing claims.
“Our work in health care fraud is both to protect patients and protect important government programs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. The medical resident was accused of stealing narcotics at UW hospital system facilities, while Pinnacle Health PC allegedly billed over $500,000 for unapproved treatments.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers.”
The nationwide operation led to charges against 324 defendants involved in schemes totaling over $14.6 billion in alleged false billings and illegal drug diversions. Over $245 million in assets were seized.
In the Western District of Washington, Andrew Voegel-Podadera faces charges for obtaining controlled substances by fraud. He allegedly diverted medications such as fentanyl while working at Seattle hospitals.
“Diverting medicine away from infant patients is despicable,” said David F. Reames, DEA Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge.
Special Agent Robert Iwanicki of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations emphasized their commitment to pursuing healthcare practitioners who compromise patient health.
Pinnacle Health PC resolved civil claims related to false billing practices involving an experimental product called FlowerAmnioFlo. The U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted an investigation that led to a settlement amounting to $1,115,976.
“The scale of today’s Takedown is unprecedented,” remarked HHS-OIG Acting Inspector General Juliet T. Hodgkins, highlighting efforts to protect taxpayer dollars and patient care.
The cases are part of coordinated actions by various law enforcement agencies across multiple states, including support from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court proceedings handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Philip Kopczynski and Amanda McDowell for the criminal case, with Nickolas Bohl negotiating the civil settlement.
