Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Published on: July 29, 2013

Yet Another Guilty Verdict in a Major Los Angeles Medicare Fraud Case (This Time, for $1.5 Million)

A federal jury just convicted 49-year-old Godwin Onyeabor and two confederates of scheming to defraud Medicare in Los Angeles to the tune of $1.5 million.

Onyeabor, who had been working for a San Bernardino company, Fendih Medical Supply Inc., paid kickbacks to another doctor and healthcare professional to write fake prescriptions for power wheelchairs and other medical equipment.

Onyeabor’s scheme lasted from 2007 to 2012; he billed Medicare for fraudulent claims totaling $1.5 million. Medicare paid out almost $1 million of that money.

Published on: July 22, 2013

Big Break in Los Angeles Lewd Conduct Case as LAPD Nabs “Red Car Flasher”

by Michael Kraut

After two years “on the lam” — and dozens of Los Angeles lewd conduct complaints — the Los Angeles Police Department has finally apprehended the notorious “Red Car Flasher.”

24-year-old Luis Bucio-Cedeno faces 19 criminal counts, including child annoying, sexual battery, lewd conduct in Los Angeles, and indecent exposure. Bucio-Cedeno allegedly victimized 11 people, and he is on a no-bail hold.

According to a lieutenant for the LAPD, Paul Vernon, “after two years, dozens of sightings, several composite sketches, we got our break in February … Putting the case together was truly a team effort among detectives and police officers across three San Fernando Valley police divisions.”

Published on: July 17, 2013

Chop Shop on Hunt for More Los Angeles Theft Suspects

by Michael Kraut

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives are looking for additional suspects in a chop shop bust that’s already netted two individuals accused of auto theft in Los Angeles.

According to a CBS LA report, the Sheriff’s Taskforce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP) located a stolen car at Miramonte Boulevard’s 6700 Block in South L.A., which led them to eight different stolen vehicles.

Police nabbed two brothers, 20-year-old Danny Garcia and 19-year-old Juan Mercado, on an array of charges, including operating a chop shop, buying a vehicle to resell, and using fraudulent identification. Both young men are being held in jail on $50,000 bonds.

Published on: July 15, 2013

Journaling to Understand Your Los Angeles Medicare Fraud Charges

by Michael Kraut

Ever since Federal investigators got on your case (and potentially even charged you) for healthcare fraud in Los Angeles, news commentators and observers have been calling you things like “mastermind” and “criminal conspirator.” You certainly don’t think of yourself in those terms. In fact, you’re feeling pretty scared, bewildered, and out of control right now – anything but the master of your mind.

This lack of clarity and sense of dis-ease can cause problems for your defense. To the degree that you are unclear about what you did, what charges you face, and what you can do to respond is the degree that you’ll feel out of control.

There are two main tools that you can use to regain a coherent perspective.

Published on: July 8, 2013

Your Trajectory After Your Los Angeles Petty Theft Charge: Up Or Down?

by Michael Kraut

Maybe you stole some costume jewelry and brooches from a Venice Beach bodega. Or perhaps your Los Angeles petty theft charge came packaged with additional charges, like grand theft, robbery, assault, etc.

In any case, you want to avoid serious punishment and “put the crime behind you.” But you’re also “not that concerned,” on some level, since your crime is relatively minor.

But you should be concerned!

Published on: July 5, 2013

Los Angeles Lewd Conduct Irony Alert! Sex Assault Chief for Air Force Busted on Charges of Sexual Battery

by Michael Kraut

After being arrested on sex crime charges in Southern California, you’re probably not that interested in ironic new stories.

But one whopper in the news — that just went viral — should get your attention. It concerns 41-year-old Lieutenant Colonel, Jeffrey Krusinski, the head of the Air Force’s Sexual Assault Prevention Response Program. Authorities just arrested him on… wait for it… charges of sexual battery!

Krusinski’s (now famous) mug shot — picturing him with cuts on his face — almost instantly circulated around the internet. Officials say that Krusinski allegedly drunkenly groped a woman in a parking lot in Arlington, Virginia. Ann Stefanek, a spokeswoman for the Air Force, detailed the events to the Los Angeles Times:

Published on: July 3, 2013

Healthcare Fraud in Los Angeles: Why Did You Do It? (No, Really, Why Did You Do It?)

by Michael Kraut

Why did you commit healthcare fraud in Southern California?

Now that you’ve been investigated (or, perhaps, arrested), your life path certainly doesn’t seem fully rational. After all, you now face massive jail time, thousands (or millions) of dollars in forced restitution, public humiliation, the loss of your medical, dental, or chiropractic license (or other professional credentials), and problems with your relationships and self-esteem.

So… why did you do it?

Published on: July 1, 2013

Los Angeles Petty Theft? 18-year-old Who Pilfered Mango Could Be Hit with a Felony!

by Michael Kraut

If you stole a mango, Lipton Ice Tea drink, and a pack of candy — a total of $3.67 worth of goods — do you think prosecutors would hit you with a misdemeanor Los Angeles petty theft charge … or a felony?

The answer is not so obvious!

If walked out of the grocery store or convenience store with your “five finger discount,” then got caught, and then calmly admitted what you did — you’d probably get tagged with just a misdemeanor. That’s still a big charge. But you won’t wind up behind bars for over a year for it.

Published on: June 26, 2013

Chris Parker’s Blockbuster LA Weekly Story on Los Angeles Medicare Fraud (Part 1 of 2)

by Michael Kraut

The Los Angeles Weekly recently ran a fantastic, compelling, and extremely disturbing story on Medicare fraud in Los Angeles and beyond. Entitled: “How Medicare fraud became the nation’s most lucrative crime,” the story blisteringly attacks a system of corruption that’s so deep and so diverse, it’s almost unbelievable.

It’s no secret that healthcare fraud in Southern California and beyond costs taxpayers $100 billion a year (some say that figure is as high as $300 billion). The Obama administration has clearly made it a priority to crack down on fraud, and the new awareness of the problem has undoubtedly led to improved policing.

Right?

Published on: June 24, 2013

Busted for Healthcare Fraud in Los Angeles? How Does Your Case Compare to That of These Two Las Vegas Women?

by Michael Kraut

Your Los Angeles healthcare fraud charges are pretty severe. You could wind up paying massive fines and restitution as well as serving a big stint behind bars.

But how does your case stack up against this one?

48-year-old Sandra Little (of Reno) and 65-year-old Susan Hill (of Las Vegas) recently pled guilty to defrauding Nevada’s Medicaid program out of about $1 million. Hill pled guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of healthcare fraud. Little pled guilty to 10 money laundering counts and 28 healthcare fraud counts. The U.S. Attorney for Nevada, Daniel Bogden, emphasized that the federal government “will vigorously prosecute persons who cheat and steal from federally funded programs … everyone suffers when programs designed to help persons in need are defrauded.”