In the largest health care fraud operation of its kind, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged 324 defendants in connection with over $14.6 billion in fraudulent Medicare claims, part of the 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.

Key charges in New York

Two medical professionals in Western New York are at the center of local allegations:

• Dr. Joel Durinka, Orchard Park: Accused of billing Medicare $5.6 million for fake telehealth visits and an additional $29.6 million for unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME) orders. Durinka also allegedly falsified medical records and has had over $325,000 seized by the government.
• Dr. Enaame Farrell, Niagara Falls, Ontario: The subject of a civil complaint alleging $3.4 million in Medicare fraud for ordering DME without patient interaction or medical necessity.

“These schemes steal from taxpayers and endanger patient safety,” said U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. “We will not hesitate to pursue fraudsters exploiting Medicare.”

A nationwide sweep

The DOJ’s takedown spans 50 federal districts and 12 state AG offices, involving:

• 96 medical professionals including doctors, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists
• Over $245 million in seized assets including cash, crypto, and luxury goods
• 205 providers suspended or revoked by CMS
• $4 billion in fraudulent claims prevented through advanced analytics

A major focus was Operation Gold Rush, which uncovered a $10.6 billion fraud scheme exploiting the stolen identities of...

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