CLEVELAND — United States Attorney David Toepfer announced that a dentist in Cuyahoga County has agreed to a settlement that will cost $500,000 for false Medicaid claims.
The settlement is part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
Stanley Mechler, 72, of Pepper Pike, agreed to pay the settlement to resolve the allegations of violating the False Claims Act.
“Providers who submit claims for payment from federal healthcare programs have a responsibility to verify that those claims are legitimate. It is our duty to ensure that each taxpayer dollar is spent wisely,” said U.S. Attorney Toepfer. “Therefore, if we suspect fraud, we are obligated to earnestly investigate such matters and hold people accountable for their actions. I’d like to especially thank the Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for partnering with us in this investigation.”
The enforcement has resulted in 455 defendants charged, including 90 doctors, for allegedly taking part in healthcare fraud and opioid abuse schemes.
“Medicaid fraud steals from taxpayers and vulnerable Ohioans. If you try to cheat this program, you will be held accountable,” said Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson.
Federal officials have charged seven people across Southern California accused of defrauding government-funded healthcare programs like Medi-Cal and Medicare of millions of dollars and accused sev...