Chicago Man Arrested for Medicare Fraud
A man from Chicago, accused of orchestrating a massive $1.2 billion health care fraud scheme aimed at elderly Medicare recipients, has been arrested in the Philippines and returned to the United States. This marks him as the second individual listed on the FBI’s new “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list.
Herbert Leon Kimble, aged 60, was captured after evading authorities for almost two years, according to federal officials.
“In a little over two weeks, we apprehended the second most-wanted fraudster on the FBI’s list, as noted by Vice President Vance and the White House Task Force to Combat Fraud,” posted FBI Director Kash Patel on social media on Friday.
Kimble faced initial charges related to health care fraud and a kickback scheme. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States back on April 4, 2019, yet failed to appear for his sentencing on October 7, 2024.
According to the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, Kimble operated an offshore call center from about 2014 until April 2019. The center sold pain relief orthotics via TV and online ads. When Medicare beneficiaries called the advertised numbers, they were often misled into thinking they needed braces, frequently being upsold other braces at inflated prices. Subsequently, the call center reached out to a telemedicine service, whose physicians frequently prescribed items without considering actual medical necessity.
The charges against Kimble include conspiracy to defraud the United States, health care fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, false claims, and offering kickbacks and bribes.
Kimble is now the second fugitive to be added to the U.S. Department of Justice’s new Most Wanted Fraud List, backing President Trump’s Anti-Fraud Task Force.
Just last week, federal authorities also arrested Saeed Abdullahi Eleg, 47, who was implicated in a fraud scheme in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that took advantage of federal child nutrition initiatives during the pandemic.
Officials have indicated that those involved “secured, misused, and laundered millions” intended to subsidize meals for children in need.
Vice President Vance remarked that the Most Wanted List has played a vital role in the capture of both fugitives.
“Our message is quite clear,” Vance emphasized in a post. “If you deceive the American people, we will track you down and hold you accountable.”
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on Kimble’s situation as well.
“Instead of taking responsibility for a $1.2 billion Medicare fraud scheme, Kimble attempted to evade justice by fleeing to the Philippines,” Blanche stated. “That plan, however, did not work out. Under President Trump’s guidance, in just two weeks, the FBI has arrested two fraudsters from the newly released Most Wanted Fraudsters list, and there will be more.”
