FBI Arrests Couple in Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme
Early Thursday, the FBI apprehended a couple in San Dimas, California, suspecting them of orchestrating a health care fraud scheme totaling $7.45 million.
Ameroo and Gladwyn Gill, who are both medical professionals and run 626 Hospice, Inc. (previously St. Francis Palliative Care) in Anaheim, are at the center of this investigation.
Authorities pointed out that the hospice reported an implausible 97% survival rate for patients with terminal illnesses—something the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) highlights as a significant warning sign for possible fraud. Typically, hospice patients are nearing the end of life, making such a high survival rate exceedingly dubious.
The Gills were arrested in a dramatic fashion, with the FBI cutting through their metal gate and using a bullhorn to order them out of their home.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Esseri stated, “We have a zero-tolerance policy for criminals who defraud American taxpayers. The defendants arrested this morning were charged with stealing millions of dollars in health care benefits and are now facing years in federal prison.”
Dr. Mehmet Oz, appointed by Donald Trump as the CMS administrator, was present during the arrests. He alleged that the couple used his daughter’s name as a “straw owner” to skirt prior criminal background checks.
“CMS is done trying to catch scammers who put their hands in cookie jars. Instead, we padlock the jars and starve them to death,” Oz stated. “This proactive approach will help eliminate fraud, protect taxpayer money, and ensure vulnerable Americans who rely on our programs receive the care they need.”
This couple’s arrest marks the beginning of what appears to be a broader crackdown on health care fraud, labeled the Comprehensive Regulation to Uncover Questionable Health Initiatives (CRUSH).
Initiated in February 2026 by CMS, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Justice (DOJ), CRUSH was launched following an executive order from President Trump in 2025. Vice President J.D. Vance took on the role of director for this initiative.
Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles office, noted that Southern California is particularly susceptible to hospice-related fraud and other forms of health care misconduct.
While the issue of Medicare fraud is most pronounced in Southern California, it also has national implications.
According to HHS data from 2023, around $198.1 million was identified in suspected hospice fraud, which drains resources that directly affect Americans funding health care for the elderly and disabled.
“Today, we suspended hundreds of hospices,” Oz remarked.
“In 10 weeks, we’ve come close to what Governor Newsom has done in four years,” Oz added, emphasizing the rapid progress of the operation.
This proactive measure highlights ongoing efforts against fraud in the health care system and aims to alleviate the financial strain it places on legitimate care services.
