AMTRAK EMPLOYEE AND CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CHARGED IN HEALTH CARE FRAUD SCHEME

In the largest-ever health care fraud enforcement action by federal prosecutors, 120 defendants nationwide—including an Amtrak employee and health care provider—were charged for allegedly participating in health care fraud schemes that cumulatively allege approximately $1.3 billion in false billings.

Amtrak employee Gladys Perez, licensed acupuncturist Xiao “Kimi” Gudmundsen, and Suzana Cortez, an employee who worked for Gudmundsen, were arrested in the Los Angeles, California area on July 11, 2017 for their roles in one of the schemes. The three individuals were indicted and charged on June 22, 2017.

Gudmundsen was charged with eight counts of health care fraud and three counts of money laundering, Cortez with five counts of health care fraud, and Perez with two counts of health care fraud. The charges arise from allegations that Gudmundsen recruited Amtrak employees to visit her business, Healthy Life Acupuncture Center, and then billed the Amtrak health care plan for acupuncture and other services that were not actually provided. The indictment also charges that Gudmundsen laundered payments received from Amtrak for the false bills through various accounts, including accounts held in the names of relatives.

“Our office, in partnership with our fellow investigative agencies, will continue to uncompromisingly investigate and bring to justice the people who perpetrate these criminal acts,” said Amtrak Inspector General Tom Howard. “We will remain vigilant in protecting Amtrak employees, retirees, and their dependents, by ensuring our health care dollars are not wasted on fraudulent providers.”

Indictments and criminal informations contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.