Nine Individuals and Three Corporations Face 31-Count Health Care Fraud Indictment

NEW ORLEANS, LA—A federal grand jury sitting in New Orleans returned a 31-count indictment against nine individuals and three corporations charging approximately $12,500,000 in Medicare and Medicaid fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

Specifically, ARAM KHLGATIAN, age 55, of Metairie, LA; DR. JACK VOIGHT, age 79, of Metairie, LA; ERNESTINE “TWEET” GIROD, age 46, of Marrero, LA; JO ANN GIROD, age 38, of Marrero, LA; and HEALTH PLUS CONSULTING, INC., a Louisiana corporation, were each indicted on eight counts of health care fraud. ARTEM GASPARYAN, age 45, of Metairie, LA; DARIA LITVINOVA, age 24, of Kenner, LA; and SATURN MEDICAL GROUP, a Louisiana corporation, were each indicted on nine counts of health care fraud. DR. JERRY HASKIN, age 78, of New Orleans, LA; VADIM MYSAK, age 24, of Kenner, LA, were each indicted on 23 counts of health care fraud. ANAHIT PETROSYAN, age 32, of Metairie, LA; and NEW MILLENIUM MEDICAL GROUP, INC., a Louisiana corporation, were each indicted on 14 counts of health care fraud.

According to the indictment, all of the defendants participated in a criminal organization for the purpose of fraudulently billing Medicare and Medicaid. It is alleged that recruiters were used to find patients to bring to the various medical clinics for medical tests that were not performed or not medically necessary. It is further alleged that the patients were moved between the various clinics in order to repeatedly perform the same unnecessary tests. According to the indictment, the patients were provided with prescription drugs for their cooperation, and the recruiters were provided cash and prescription drugs for their services.

Further, the government provided notice of forfeiture as to certain property that represents proceeds of the illicit activities contained in the indictment. The properties included in this provision are:

1. A residence located at 4525 Folse Drive, Metairie, Louisiana;
2. A residence located at 4726 Folse Drive, Metairie, Louisiana;
3. Various bank accounts belonging to VADIM MYSAK, ARAM KHLGATIAN, ANAHIT PETROSYAN, DR. JACK VOIGHT, ARTEM GASPARYAN, METAIRIE MED-TECH, INC., METAIRIE HEALTH CENTER, INC., and NEW MILLENIUM MEDICAL GROUP, INC.; and
4. $4,645,339.62.00 in United States currency and all interest and proceeds traceable thereto.

Each count carries a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years’ supervised release. If convicted, ARAM KHLGATIAN, DR. JACK VOIGHT, ERNESTINE “TWEET” GIROD, and JO ANN GIROD face a possible maximum sentence of 80 years’ imprisonment and millions in fines; ARTEM GASPARYAN and DARIA LITVINOVA face a possible maximum sentence of 90 years’ imprisonment and millions in fines; JERRY HASKIN and VADIM MYSAK face a possible maximum sentence 230 years’ imprisonment and millions in fines; and ANAHIT PETROSYAN faces a possible maximum sentence of 140 years’ imprisonment and millions in fines. Also, if convicted, the three corporations also face millions in fines.

KHLGATIAN, VOIGHT, JO ANN GIROD, GASPARYAN, LITVINOVA, HASKIN, MYSAK, and PETROSYAN were arrested last week pursuant to a criminal complaint. DR. JERRY HASKIN has been released on a $500,000 secured bond. All remaining defendants are in custody.

U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation was conducted by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and the Louisiana Department of Justice, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrice Harris Sullivan, G. Dall Kammer, and Jordan S. Ginsberg.