A criminal complaint was unsealed this morning in Brooklyn federal court charging Ting Huan Tai, also known as “Warren Tai,” the operator of United Medical Diagnosis, P.C. (“UMD”), based in Flushing, New York, with healthcare fraud in connection with his submission of more than $30 million in false Medicare and Medicaid billings. A seizure warrant seeking the defendant’s alleged ill-gotten gains, including a Lamborghini automobile, was also unsealed. In addition, earlier today a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s Manhattan residence. The defendant’s initial appearance is scheduled this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Ramon E. Reyes, Jr., at the United States Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York.

The charges were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Mary E. Galligan, Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; Thomas O’Donnell, Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), New York; Robert Sica, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Secret Service, New York; and James C. Cox, New York State Medicaid Inspector General.

As alleged in the complaint, in approximately May 2010, Tai took over the operations of UMD after the former owner, who was a radiologist, left UMD. UMD was a medical practice that specialized in radiology. Between May 2010 and May 2012, from his residence in Manhattan, Tai and others he employed billed Medicare and Medicaid for more than $30 million for radiological services that were not performed, using the identity of the radiologist and former owner of UMD without the doctor’s knowledge or consent

United States Attorney Lynch stated, “The defendant sought to enrich himself and fund his lifestyle first by stealing a doctor’s identity and then using that stolen identity to steal Medicare and Medicaid funds. While the documentation provided was a sham, the money stolen was very real,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “We are committed to protecting these taxpayer funded programs and prosecuting those who steal from them.” Ms. Lynch expressed her grateful appreciation to the United States Secret Service for its assistance.

FBI Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge Galligan stated, “The defendant’s alleged conduct not only resulted in his own unjust enrichment, but also put a multimillion-dollar added burden on programs meant to assist the elderly and indigent. Medicare and Medicaid fraud are indirectly theft from American taxpayers, and they can’t be tolerated.”

HHS/OIG Special Agent-in-Charge O’Donnell stated, “HHS/OIG will continue to protect federally funded healthcare programs, especially the Medicare program. The theft of one’s identifying information, be it a patient or a physician, will not be tolerated. The billing for services not rendered will continue to be a priority of this office.”

“Those who would engage in schemes such as the one charged today should know that law enforcement agencies at all levels are working together to bring them to justice,” said Medicaid Inspector General Cox. “This case stands as a warning that the government will not tolerate fraud and abuse involving taxpayer money.”

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of ten years’ imprisonment on the most serious count.

The government’s case was brought by the Brooklyn Medicare Strike Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William P. Campos and Claire Kedeshian.

The Defendant:

TING HUAN TAI, also known as “Warren Tai”
Age: 34

Residence: New York, New York

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¹ The charges announced today are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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