Attorney General Mayes Announces 42 Indictments as Part of National Healthcare Fraud Takedown Week
PHOENIX — Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that the Arizona Attorney General's Office has filed charges against 42 defendants across ten cases as part of the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges were filed in five Arizona counties and represent one of the most significant coordinated health care enforcement actions in the state's history. They span a range of alleged criminal conduct including fraudulent Medicaid billing, unlicensed medical practice, drug diversion, exploitation of vulnerable adults, and manslaughter.
“These 42 indictments — spanning fraudulent billing, drug diversion, unlicensed medical practice, and the abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults — show how tirelessly my office works to hold bad actors accountable,” said Attorney General Mayes. “We will not stop until those who exploit our health care system are brought to justice."
State of Arizona vs. Carrington, et al. (Meadows Catalina)
Employees at Meadows Catalina, a care home, are accused of failing to provide a vulnerable adult the necessary care required. The indictment alleges that lack of care and repeated falls resulted in the patient's death. Seven defendants have been charged with multiple felonies including one individual who is facing manslaughter charges and the others are facing vulnerable adult abuse charges. This case is being prosecuted by AAG Brett Harmes, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
State of Arizona vs. Brandie Lee Dees
Brandi Lee Dees, 30, of Phoenix, was charged with Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices (Class 2 Felony), Medical Practice Without a License (Class 5 Felony), and Possession of Prescription Only Drugs (Class 1 Misdemeanor). Dees, an unlicensed individual, allegedly performed lip filler, Botox, and other dermal injectable procedures at her business — services requiring medical licensure — using fillers that may not have been FDA-approved. This case is being prosecuted by AAG F. Sterling Struckmeyer, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
State of Arizona vs. Irfan Fazil and Bio Family Clinic
Irfan Fazil, 54, of Yuma, and his business Bio Family Clinic were charged with Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, Illegal Control of an Enterprise, Theft, Conspiracy, and drug-related felonies. Fazil allegedly operated a racketeering enterprise to defraud AHCCCS out of millions of dollars between July 2025 and May 2026, conspiring to commit money laundering and theft while also unlawfully possessing and administering dangerous drugs. This case is being prosecuted by AAG Ryan Dill, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
State of Arizona vs. Edgar Z. Torres
Edgar Torres, 38, of Nogales, was charged with Endangerment, Criminal Impersonation, Possession of Prescription Drugs for Sale, and Unauthorized Practice of a Health Profession. Torres is accused of performing medical procedures without a license, assuming another person's identity to conduct his operations, and unlawfully possessing prescription medications for sale. This case is being prosecuted by AAG Ryan Dill, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
State of Arizona vs. Michael Maurice Jadda
Michael Jadda, 34, of Peoria, was charged with Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, Forgery, and four counts of Sale or Transportation of Narcotic Drugs. Jadda, a licensed pharmacist, allegedly abused his position to generate fraudulent prescriptions for Oxycodone, diverting the controlled substances for personal use and sale. This case is being prosecuted by AAG Bob Tokar, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
State of Arizona vs. Newstart Integrated Clinic, et al.
Newstart Integrated Clinic and 18 individuals were charged with multiple felonies in connection with a scheme to defraud AHCCCS and exploit its members. Defendants allegedly paid individuals to refer AHCCCS beneficiaries to Newstart, defrauding the program of more than $1,000,000 between January and October 2023. This case is being prosecuted by AAG Ryan Dill, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
State of Arizona vs. Slimming Grace, et al.
Seven individuals and Slimming Grace LLC, of Kingman, were charged with Conspiracy to Commit Fraudulent Schemes, Aggravated Identity Theft, Sale of Misbranded Drugs, and Forgery. The owner, a nurse practitioner, and co-defendants allegedly placed prescriptions under patients' names without consent, administered prescription medications without valid consultations, and fraudulently held themselves out as licensed medical professionals. This case is being prosecuted by AAG Bob Tokar, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
State of Arizona vs. Lorraine P. Ferrante and Conscious Choice Birth Center
Lorraine Ferrante, 73, of Snowflake, and her business Conscious Choices Birth Center were charged with Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, Identity Theft, Negligent Homicide, and three counts of Performing Midwifery Without a License. Ferrante allegedly practiced as an unlicensed midwife from 2020 through 2025. An unborn child died in-utero on February 5, 2025, allegedly as a result of her negligence. This case is being prosecuted by AAG Ryan Dill, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
State of Arizona vs. Michelle Renee Alderman
Michelle Alderman, 48, of Kingman, was charged with three counts of Unauthorized Practice of a Health Profession. Alderman, unlicensed and owner of The Pout Company, allegedly provided lip filler services requiring medical licensure and professional oversight. This case is being prosecuted by AAG Ryan Dill, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
The charges described above are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Copies of case filings are available.
A copy of the presentation is available below.
