LOS ANGELES, California Ƶ A 66-year-old man from Orange Ƶ has been charged with submitting nearly $270 million in fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal, according to the Justice Department. Paul Richard Randall, of Orange, allegedly filed these claims over an 11-month period for prescription drugs that were not medically necessary or provided to recipients.
Randall faces charges of aiding and abetting health care fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. He appeared in United States District Court in Los Angeles and was ordered held without bond, with arraignment set for July 17. The charges come as part of the Justice DepartmentƵs 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which has led to criminal charges against 324 defendants across the United States, including 96 medical professionals, for schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss.
The Takedown involved federal and state law enforcement agencies and resulted in the seizure of more than $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced the prevention of over $4 billion in false claims and the suspension or revocation of billing privileges for 205 providers. Civil charges and settlements were also part of the Takedown, with 20 defendants facing $14.2 million in alleged fraud and settlements totaling $34.3 million with 106 defendants.
ƵThis record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,Ƶ said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. United States Attorney Bill Essayli added, ƵPublic health programs are designed to help the sick and needy, not to help unscrupulous individuals pad their pockets.Ƶ
According to an affidavit, Randall, along with Kyrollos Mekail, 37, of Moreno Valley, and Patricia Anderson, 57, of West Hills, exploited Medi-CalƵs suspension of prior authorization requirements for certain health care services or medications. This suspension was part of a transition to a new payment system for Medi-CalƵs prescription drug program.