“Operation Never Say Die” nets 8 arrests in Southern California Medicare hospice fraud sweep
Federal authorities arrested eight people and charged 15 in Southern California after “Operation Never Say Die,” a Department of Justice takedown announced April 2, 2026, alleging hospice-centered fraud that cost Medicare and private insurers more than $50 million.
Key takeaways
- Operation Never Say Die targeted alleged Medicare hospice fraud and related health-care schemes across Southern California, yielding eight arrests and charges against 15 people.
- Federal officials say the schemes caused more than $50 million in losses to Medicare and private insurers, according to officials and video coverage of the announcements.
- Warrants and arrests were executed in cities including Covina, Glendale, Anaheim, Lakewood and Van Nuys, federal authorities said.
- Prosecutors allege defendants recruited non-terminally ill beneficiaries, paid them to pose as hospice patients, and submitted false claims that generated millions in payments.
Main coverage
The sweep: arrests and locations
Federal agents, including FBI investigators and prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, executed search and arrest warrants across Southern California. Officials said warrants were carried out from Covina to Lakewood and Van Nuys, and that the enforcement action involved representatives from several federal agencies as part of a broader push against health-care fraud. See the Fox LA report and the DOJ release for officials’ statements and locations.
“Zero tolerance” — First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli called the operation “zero tolerance” for what he described as a “kingdom of fraud” preying on Medicare. FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director Akil Davis emphasized that health-care fraud costs the U.S. hundreds of billions annually.
How prosecutors say the schemes worked
According to court filings and the DOJ statement, several alleged schemes relied on sham hospices that enrolled people who were not terminally ill. Prosecutors say defendants paid beneficiaries to act as hospice patients; providers then submitted false claims to Medicare for hospice services, including expensive durable medical equipment and home health care. Federal prosecutors assert these false bills resulted in tens of millions of dollars being paid to the alleged fraudsters.
Other schemes in the takedown reportedly included fraudulent chiropractic and physical therapy billing and fake medical exams tied to immigration applications. Officials cited one chiropractic and physical therapy network that allegedly billed insurers about $19 million between 2010 and 2023, according to the DOJ release.
The Gills: alleged sham hospice in Glendale
Prosecutors singled out a Covina couple: psychologist Gladwin Gill, 66, and his wife, registered nurse Amelou Gill. They are accused of running a hospice out of Glendale that submitted more than $5.2 million in false claims, of which Medicare allegedly paid more than $4 million. The couple has denied the allegations; Gill’s attorney said he looks forward to his day in court. Read local coverage at ABC7 and the DOJ statement.
Officials, data and controversy over public statements
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), joined federal officials at the news conference and announced a broader review of hospice providers in California. “We’re going to review every single hospice in California to make sure that they’re all appropriate, and we hope to do that expeditiously. We’ll do it this year,” Oz said, and he also signaled CMS may consider a moratorium on certain equipment payments while reviewing unusual survival rates among hospice populations as a red flag for fraud. (See reporting at Fox LA.)
Controversy: Oz’s remarks prompted backlash after a video showed him standing in front of a bakery in Van Nuys while alleging widespread local fraud. The bakery owner, an Armenian-American small business, said the accusations were false and discriminatory. Essayli clarified none of the defendants announced were connected to that video. Oz said he was “stating the facts as they’ve been explained to me” and cited numerical patterns but did not link any specific business to the video. Coverage: Fox LA and ABC7.
Wider enforcement and administrative actions
Officials described the takedown as part of an intensified federal push against health-care fraud tied to an anti-fraud task force. As part of recent enforcement activity, authorities reported a spike in provider suspensions in Los Angeles — 221 providers suspended, a 215% increase from the prior week, officials said. Investigators also flagged suspicious licensing activity in Van Nuys, including dozens of hospice licenses concentrated on one block, which they described as potential “license flipping.” See the Fox LA report and the DOJ release for details.
Arraignments for the arrested defendants are scheduled in federal court in Los Angeles. Some defendants were extradited from Idaho and Washington, and the DOJ noted investigations remain ongoing; additional charges or arrests are possible as agents follow the evidence.
Political responses
California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back against criticism that the state had not done enough to prevent hospice fraud. In a statement tied to the operation, Newsom criticized how the federal administration handles health programs and said federal leaders should not shift blame to California for problems in federal programs. See regional reporting at KVAL.
Implications for the Inland Empire
Economic impact: Inland Empire hospitals, clinics and home-health providers serve a large Medicare population. Local systems could face increased audits and paperwork as federal and state agencies expand reviews of hospice billing and high-cost equipment claims. Smaller hospices or home-health businesses may face temporary disruption if inspections expand or providers are suspended, and patients could experience delays in service authorizations while agencies verify hospice eligibility.
Political consequences: The takedown spotlights federal oversight of Medicare programs and could become an issue in local and statewide races where candidates debate accountability and fraud prevention. Moderately minded voters in the Inland Empire may expect bipartisan action to tighten safeguards while protecting legitimate hospice access for patients who need it.
Social effects & cultural relevance: Families that rely on hospice care may worry about potential closures or delays. Community groups and patient advocates should ask providers for clear information about care continuity and pursue confirmations about licensing and oversight. The controversy over public comments and the Van Nuys video underscored sensitivities in diverse communities; local leaders and providers may need to emphasize non-discrimination and clear communication while addressing fraud concerns.
Practical steps for residents
- Review Medicare statements: Inland Empire Medicare beneficiaries should carefully review Medicare Summary Notices and bills.
- Report suspected fraud: Report suspected fraud or suspicious outreach to the Medicare Fraud Hotline and local law enforcement.
- Confirm eligibility and licensing: Patients and families with questions about hospice eligibility can contact the California Department of Health Care Services and CMS for guidance.
Sources and reporting notes
This article is based on the U.S. Department of Justice press release and statements from federal officials at a press conference; reporting from local outlets such as Fox LA and ABC7; and video coverage of the announcements (video). Additional context on political responses was drawn from regional reporting at KVAL.
Note: DOJ officials say investigations are continuing and additional charges or actions may follow as agents review the evidence. See the DOJ release for updates.
