U.S. Charges 49 Russian Diplomats With Healthcare Fraud.
Source: nyt/reuters
U.S. prosecutors have charged 49 current and former Russian diplomats and their family members with participating in a scheme to get health benefits intended for the poor by lying about their income.
According to the charges, filed in November and unsealed on Thursday, the diplomats' families got around $1.5 million in benefits from the Medicaid program for families with monthly income of about $3,000 or less. The benefits covered costs related to pregnancies, births and infant care, the charges say.
Each of the 49 people was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and one count of conspiracy to steal government funds and make false statements relating to healthcare matters, according to the charges.
A spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Peter Donald, said no one was arrested.
A person briefed on the matter said the diplomats all had diplomatic immunity and Russia would have to waive it in order for any arrests to be made.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/12/05/world/europe/05reuters-usa-russia-healthfraud.html?hp
maindawg
(1,151 posts)Who are working to mold the future of the human race and the planet earth and the boundries of space, and time , and quantum science along with the fundamental nuts and bolts of everyday diplomacy, despite all that, if you get sick , you are on your own. We cannot pick up every beggar who is dying or suffering from some disease.This aint Canada.
We have trillions to spend on wars, and we will use it, but as far as basic human compassion ,basic human rights, your core level qualification to call yourself civilized ,if you are looking for that on these shores well , you are wasting both of our time.
elleng
(130,908 posts)'the diplomats' families got around $1.5 million in benefits from the Medicaid program for families with monthly income of about $3,000 or less'
Got that part?
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Dreamer Tatum
(10,926 posts)I mean, you look like a Browns fan, so I realize you're already not the brightest, but...wtf are you talking about?
Ace Acme
(1,464 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)Jessy169
(602 posts)Not to generalize, but having lived and worked in Russia for a couple of years, living in my own apartment, riding the subways, speaking/eating/living like a Russian and associating only with Russians, and having been married to a Russian woman on my return to America -- I can say without any doubt that your average Russian if given a chance to cheat the government will not be able to resist the urge. Dealing with Russian businessmen, you quickly learn that cheating, extortion and threats are all part of the daily mix and are baked into the system. In Russia, you have to choose which mafia group you want to work with, otherwise the mafia groups will decide amongst themselves who gets to "represent" you. No surprise here. Good luck trying to collect.
elleng
(130,908 posts)but 'thanks' for the confirmation.