A Southern California couple will pay $10 million dollars in a settlement over allegations that they conducted a widespread scheme to defraud Medicare and Medi-Cal programs.
Dr. Mohammad Rasekhi and his wife, Sheila Busheri, are accused of submitting false healthcare claims and engaging in a kickback scheme through businesses they own, according to the California Department of Justice.
Rasekhi is the founder and chief medical officer of Southern California Medical Center, a group of general practice clinics. His wife serves as the chief executive officer of the group. The couple also co-owns Universal Diagnostic Laboratories, a medical testing facility.
Court documents described the medical group as a “non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center that provides healthcare services to underserved patient populations.”
The schemes reportedly took place between 2014 and 2021. Rasekhi operated offices across the Southland with locations in Van Nuys, Pomona, Pico Rivera, Long Beach, El Monte and Woodland Hills. The lab testing facility was located in Van Nuys.