NEW YORK, December 05. /ITAR-TASS/. New York prosecution has charged former and current Russian diplomats and their spouses with healthcare fraud, Julie Bolster a representative of the prosecutor’s office told ITAR-TASS.
She said that a total of 49 people are involved; according to the investigation, they provided false information for the Medicaid program, which is used by Americans with poor economic situation. Moreover, many have reported their children to be American citizens, while this was not the case.
Russians are accused of concealment of income and providing false information claiming their children are American citizens. The fraud was initiated to receive government bonuses for costs related to pregnancies, births and infant care. Together the diplomats are accused for incurring damages of $1.5 billion.
Former and acting employees of Russia’s Consulate General in New-York, Russia’s Mission to the UN and Russia’s Trade Representative to the US are charged with two counts: Conspiracy to steal government funds and make false statements relating to health care matters; and Conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
The investigation, led by the FBI for a year and a half, has information indicating that these infractions took place from 2004 to August of 2013.
FBI representative Peter Donald said that no one has been arrested as all defendants have diplomatic immunity. The document published on the official website of the U.S. Justice Department names all defendants and provides evidence suggesting their income was underreported, such as luxury purchases and bank forms.