DOJ Fraud Division Priorities: The McDonald Memo (2026)
DOJ's new Fraud Division targets government programs, health care, tax, trade, and corporate fraud. Former DOJ prosecutors break down the McDonald Memo.
Skin Substitute Rebate Programs: How DOJ Builds a Case and Where It Breaks Down
Distributor rebates were standard practice in wound care. Federal prosecutors now charge them as kickbacks and false claims. What DOJ has to prove, and where these cases break down.
DOJ's $25 Million Crypto Forfeiture: Five Civil Complaints, Frozen Tether, No Defendants
On July 21, 2026, the Justice Department filed five civil forfeiture complaints against more than $25 million in cryptocurrency without naming a single defendant. Former DOJ prosecutors examine the Tether wallet freezes, the tracing gaps in the government's own pleadings, and the defenses open to exchanges, traders, and innocent holders.
FDA Ketamine Warning Letters: Criminal and Civil Exposure for Ketamine Clinics, Prescribers, and Online Sellers
FDA issued more than a dozen warning letters to online ketamine sellers on June 23, 2026, citing unapproved new drug and misbranding violations. Former DOJ prosecutors explain the criminal exposure under the FDCA and Controlled Substances Act, DEA Immediate Suspension Orders and Orders to Show Cause, the Ruan intent standard for physicians, PAs, and NPs, and the civil exposure that runs alongside.
Money Mule & Bulletproof Hosting Indictments | DOJ & OFAC 2026
In one week, DOJ charged the managers of a $43 million pig-butchering money mule network in Brooklyn, unsealed the Media Land bulletproof hosting indictment, and OFAC sanctioned VPN and cryptor providers. Former DOJ prosecutors break down the indictments, the knowledge element under 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h), infrastructure-provider liability, and where the defense begins.
CFTC Commodity Pool Fraud: The Vernon & Argent Capital Case
The CFTC filed a seven-count commodity pool fraud complaint against Trevor Vernon and Argent Capital Management in the Western District of North Carolina, alleging $14.8 million raised, $8.6 million lost trading futures, options, and crypto, Ponzi-style payments, and false sworn statements to the Commission. Former DOJ Fraud Section prosecutors explain the charges, the CFTC's enforcement priorities, the parallel criminal risk, and where the defense begins.
The AudiA6 Crypto Mixer Case: Money Laundering Charges Under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 and the Attribution Defense
Federal prosecutors charged the operators of the AudiA6 crypto mixer with money laundering conspiracy and sting money laundering after a five-year undercover investigation. The complaint traces $389 million in bitcoin but rests on six undercover transactions with unnamed operators. The central defense is attribution to the named individuals.
Wound Care Fraud Indictments in DOJ's 2026 Takedown: Four Skin Substitute Cases Explained
DOJ's 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown charged four wound care fraud cases, United States v. Cardenas, Tesar, Yukee, and McMillan, alleging more than $1.3 billion in fraudulent amniotic allograft claims. Former DOJ Fraud Section prosecutors analyze the charges, the government's theories, and where each indictment is vulnerable.
CMS Payment Suspensions and DEA Immediate Suspension Orders: The Administrative Side of the 2026 Health Care Fraud Takedown
The 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown announced 455 criminal defendants alongside 1,079 CMS payment suspensions and a record 928 DEA administrative actions, including 53 Immediate Suspension Orders. Former DOJ prosecutors explain the credible allegation standard, the imminent danger standard, the 30-day answer and expedited hearing rules, and why most targets fold before any tribunal tests the government's evidence.
The FBI Most Wanted Fraudsters List: Fugitive Status, Failure to Appear, and Extradition in Health Care and Crypto Fraud Cases
The FBI's new Most Wanted Fraudsters List produced its first capture in six days and reached fugitives in the Philippines, Kyrenia, and Estonia within three weeks. Former DOJ prosecutors break down what flight costs a defendant: failure-to-appear charges, tolled limitations periods, forfeited assets, and detention on return, in health care fraud and crypto cases alike.
18 U.S.C. § 1347 Healthcare Fraud: Elements, Defenses, and Federal Enforcement
18 U.S.C. § 1347 is the lead charge in nearly every federal healthcare fraud case. Former DOJ Fraud Section prosecutors Scott Armstrong and Drew Bradylyons break down the four elements the government must prove, why a Medicare rule violation is not a crime, why good faith is a complete defense, and how prosecutors pair the statute with 18 U.S.C. § 1035 and the Anti-Kickback Statute.
18 U.S.C. § 1035: Health Care False Statement Charges, Materiality, and Defense
18 U.S.C. § 1035 makes it a federal crime to knowingly make a materially false statement in a health care matter. United States v. Alexander shows how the government proves the elements, why materiality turns on capability of influence rather than reliance, how aiding and abetting attaches, and where a conviction still falls short of supporting restitution.
The 2026 Crypto Crash and the Coming Wave of Investor Fraud Litigation
A crypto crash is not fraud, but it exposes the schemes a rising market hides. This guide explains the civil cases that follow the 2026 collapse, false representations about returns, where assets are held, and risk, plus misappropriation of investor funds, and the loss causation question that decides them. By former senior DOJ officials Scott Armstrong and Drew Bradylyons.
DOJ Benefits Fraud Fast-Track: The Shumate Memo & FCA CIDs
On May 27, 2026, DOJ ordered review of benefits fraud whistleblower cases within 60 to 120 days. Former DOJ prosecutors break down the Shumate Memo and the rising civil investigative demand activity in COVID loan, SBA set-aside, and Medicaid and Medicare fraud.
EIDBI Autism Fraud: DOJ Charges Smart Therapy and Star Autism Owners in $46.6M Indictment
A federal grand jury indicted Shamso Ahmed Hassan and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf in the largest Medicaid autism fraud case ever charged by DOJ. The $46.6 million scheme allegedly defrauded Minnesota's EIDBI Program through hidden ownership, kickbacks to parents disguised with the code word "computer," and billing for services that were never provided.
Minnesota HSS Program Fraud: $15.7M Medicaid Takedown
The Justice Department charged eight defendants in the Minnesota Housing Stabilization Services Program Medicaid fraud takedown, alleging $15.7 million in false claims. The four cases reveal the federal charging theories now driving Medicaid waiver enforcement nationwide, including fraud tourism, conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. section 1349, and substitute asset forfeiture. Former DOJ Fraud Section prosecutors Scott Armstrong and Drew Bradylyons analyze the indictments.
Mailyan $45M Botox Fraud Conviction: Defense Analysis
A federal jury convicted Dr. Violetta Mailyan on May 18, 2026, of nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of obstruction in a $45M Medicare Botox scheme. Former DOJ Fraud Section prosecutors break down the jury instructions and data analytics origin.
The Anti-Kickback Statute Is Central to Federal Healthcare Fraud Enforcement in 2026
Federal Anti-Kickback Statute defense by former DOJ Healthcare Fraud Unit Assistant Chiefs. Elements, safe harbors, defenses, and trial strategy under 42 USC 1320a-7b.
Skin Substitute Fraud Defense: U.S. v. Ellsworth Analysis
Defense analysis of the May 2026 Ellsworth skin substitute fraud indictment. Analysis of the indictment, which includes No kickback counts, and medical necessity allegations.
DOJ Launches West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force: Federal Investigations in Arizona, Nevada, and Northern California
DOJ's Fraud Division announced the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force on April 30, 2026, covering the District of Arizona, District of Nevada, and Northern District of California. Analysis of the $1.2 billion wound graft fraud prosecution, the $100 million Adderall telehealth fraud conviction, and the $650 million substance abuse Medicaid fraud indictment driving the expansion. How Strike Force investigations are built through data analytics, grand jury subpoenas, covert search warrants, and cooperating witnesses. Criminal statutes charged in Strike Force indictments including 18 U.S.C. 1347, the Anti-Kickback Statute, EKRA, and 21 U.S.C. 841. Defense considerations for individuals under investigation or facing indictment in Strike Force districts.