Los Angeles Times, CA
July 20 2005
Couple Allegedly Bilked Medicare of $5.8 Million
The Burbank residents are accused of billing for medical procedures
that were never performed.
By Monte Morin, Times Staff Writer
A Burbank couple accused of bilking the federal government out of
$5.8 million in Medicare payments will appear in court today to answer
to more than 119 felony counts, including grand theft, tax fraud and
money laundering.
Sarkis Musoyan and his wife, Azatui Dilboyan, both 37, were arrested
at their Scott Road home early Tuesday after an investigation into
billing practices at four medical offices they helped manage in Los
Angeles and Orange counties. According to prosecutors, the couple
hired doctors and then submitted false Medicare bills for procedures
that were never performed.
The medical offices were in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Long Beach
and Huntington Beach.
Prosecutors allege that from July 1, 2002, to Nov. 30, 2004, the
couple submitted fraudulent bills in the doctors’ names. Much of that
money was wired to accounts in Armenia and the United Arab Emirates,
or converted to cash, prosecutors said.
Richard A. Moss, a defense lawyer representing Musoyan, said his
client would plead not guilty. Dilboyan’s defense lawyer, Leo Fasen,
could not be reached for comment.
Moss said the medical offices were run by the physicians; the couple’s
management corporations, Queens Medical Management and American
Professional Management, ran the business parts of the practice.
He described at least two of the doctors involved as “disgruntled
individuals” upset with the management companies. Moss said the couple
were aware of the district attorney’s investigation for the past year.
Bail for Musoyan and Dilboyan has been set at $6 million each.
It was unclear Tuesday whether charges would also be filed against
the doctors hired by the couple.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress