The AudiA6 Crypto Mixer Case: Money Laundering Charges Under 18 U.S.C. § 1956 and the Attribution Defense
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

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.

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CMS Payment Suspensions and DEA Immediate Suspension Orders: The Administrative Side of the 2026 Health Care Fraud Takedown
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

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.

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The FBI Most Wanted Fraudsters List: Fugitive Status, Failure to Appear, and Extradition in Health Care and Crypto Fraud Cases
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

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.

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18 U.S.C. § 1347 Healthcare Fraud: Elements, Defenses, and Federal Enforcement
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

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.

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18 U.S.C. § 1035: Health Care False Statement Charges, Materiality, and Defense
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

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.

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The 2026 Crypto Crash and the Coming Wave of Investor Fraud Litigation
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

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.

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DOJ Benefits Fraud Fast-Track: The Shumate Memo & FCA CIDs
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

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.

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Minnesota HSS Program Fraud: $15.7M Medicaid Takedown
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

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.

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Mailyan $45M Botox Fraud Conviction: Defense Analysis
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

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.

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DOJ Launches West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force: Federal Investigations in Arizona, Nevada, and Northern California
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

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.

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Federal Healthcare Fraud and Illegal Prescribing Charges: Intent, Medical Necessity, and Defense Strategies
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

Federal Healthcare Fraud and Illegal Prescribing Charges: Intent, Medical Necessity, and Defense Strategies

Missouri physician indicted on 38 federal counts combining healthcare fraud with illegal prescribing of Adderall, benzodiazepines, and hydrocodone. Analysis of the government's burden on intent after Ruan v. United States, medical necessity defenses for non-opioid controlled substances, supervision fraud theories under 18 U.S.C. § 1347, and why trial readiness matters in dual-theory prosecutions. By former DOJ ARPO Strike Force director.

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FDA Warning Letters on Exosome Products | Regulatory & Criminal Defense
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

FDA Warning Letters on Exosome Products | Regulatory & Criminal Defense

FDA warning letters to exosome manufacturers cite unapproved drugs, unlicensed biologics, and misbranded products under the FD&C Act and PHS Act. Analysis of enforcement trends from 2024 through 2026, criminal prosecution risks, and the regulatory framework for exosome products. Defense by former senior DOJ officials.

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Home Health Certification in Federal Fraud Cases: OASIS, Homebound Status, Face-to-Face Encounter
Scott Armstrong Scott Armstrong

Home Health Certification in Federal Fraud Cases: OASIS, Homebound Status, Face-to-Face Encounter

Analysis of the Medicare home health certification process in federal criminal fraud cases. Covers the face-to-face encounter under 42 C.F.R. 424.22, OASIS assessment scoring under PDGM, homebound status certification, CMS-485 physician certification, LCD compliance, and defense strategies including cross-examination of beneficiary witnesses who received undisclosed kickback payments. By former DOJ Fraud Section prosecutors.

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