A fugitive accused of working a $1.2 billion Medicare fraud conspiracy has been captured abroad and returned to america, changing into the second suspect taken into custody from the FBI’s new “Most Needed Fraudsters” listing.
Federal officers stated Herbert Leon Kimble, 60, was arrested within the Philippines after allegedly evading authorities for practically two years.
Prosecutors stated Kimble operated a healthcare fraud scheme that generated greater than $1.2 billion in Medicare costs and affected hundreds of beneficiaries, a lot of them aged.
Authorities stated the operation used name facilities to steer sufferers towards medically pointless orthopedic braces.
Kimble pleaded responsible in 2019 to a number of federal offenses, together with conspiracy to defraud america, healthcare fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, making false claims and providing kickbacks and bribes.
Authorities stated he failed to look for his sentencing listening to in August 2024, prompting a federal arrest warrant and a world manhunt.
The seize got here simply weeks after the Justice Division unveiled its new “Most Needed Fraudsters” listing, which is meant to publicly establish people charged in main fraud circumstances.
Final week, federal officers introduced the apprehension of Stated Abdullahi Ereg, 47, who was needed on costs of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and cash laundering.
He was the first individual on the listing to be taken into custody.
“In simply over two weeks, that is the second Most Needed Fraudster arrested on the FBI’s listing led by Vice President Vance and the White Home Job Pressure to Eradicate Fraud,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X.
“Herbert Leon Kimbel was apprehended within the Philippines and is now again in america, on the run since 2024 after he allegedly orchestrated a $1.2 billion healthcare fraud conspiracy that focused the Medicare system — significantly aged victims — from 2014-2019,” Patel continued.
Patel stated the FBI stays dedicated to finishing up President Donald Trump’s directive to crack down on fraud and shield taxpayer {dollars}.
The arrest comes months after the Justice Division introduced the creation of a Nationwide Fraud Enforcement Division to assist Trump’s Job Pressure to Eradicate Fraud, which is led by Vice President JD Vance.
Vance reacted to the arrest on X, crediting the creation of the Most Needed Fraudsters listing with serving to investigators observe down Kimble.
“Our message is straightforward,” Vance wrote. “When you defraud the American folks, we’ll discover you and we’ll convey you to justice.”
“Kimble preyed on the aged for years, costing taxpayers over a billion {dollars},” he continued. “The FBI catching Kimble is a direct results of the duty drive’s partnership with the FBI to create the Most Needed Fraudsters listing.”
Vance stated authorities had been unable to seize Kimble for months, however that the Philippine authorities helped find him after the Justice Division printed its listing.
“Catching fraudsters is a precedence of this Administration, and due to our process drive’s arduous work, one of many nation’s most needed fraudsters will now need to reply for his crimes,” Vance added.
Appearing Legal professional Common Todd Blanche additionally reacted to the arrest, saying that “fleeing america doesn’t imply you may flee justice.”
“As an alternative of dealing with accountability for his $1.2 billion Medicare fraud crimes in america, Kimble fled to the Philippines hoping to flee justice,” Blanche wrote on X. “That plan failed. Below President Trump’s management, this FBI has now apprehended two fraudsters from its just lately unveiled Most Needed Fraudster listing in simply two weeks, with extra to return.”
