Federal authorities charge 15 in $1.8B Southern California medical fraud sweep

• Federal authorities conducted predawn raids across Southern California.
• 15 individuals, including six medical professionals, were charged in connection with $1.8 billion in fraudulent activities.
• The fraud involved sham substance abuse programs, unnecessary surgeries, and phony hospice care.
• The Department of Justice charged the defendants for making fraudulent claims to government and private health care programs.
• The operation targeted individuals accused of stealing nearly $2 billion through various fraudulent schemes.