About LAist

LAist is a website about Los Angeles. More

Editor: Zach Behrens Publisher: Gothamist

About | Archive | Contact | Mobile | RSS | Staff

Categories
Recent Comments
Favorites
Contribute

Latest tip:

<a href="http://www.bannedinhollywood.com/breaking-maxim-magazine-will-begin-terget-demographic-m [more]

 

Latest link:

 

Latest Photo:

 

Subscribe
Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from LAist.
Neighborhood Project, Los Angeles Communities

Links

February 6, 2008

Bad Boys, Bad Boys: Glendale Traffic Stop Yields Man Wanted by FBI for Health Care Fraud

It sounds a little like something you might see on COPS: What was just going to be a routine traffic stop in Glendale turned out to be a major nab for the FBI.

Sarkis 'Sako' Militonyan was wanted by the FBI for health care fraud; he was pulled over in Glendale on a traffic stopPolice pulled over Sarkis "Sako" Militonyan on January 27th because his white Chevy Tahoe had no plates and was positioned in two lanes. According to the Daily News, the cops "discovered he was a fugitive and a search of his SUV turned up several copies of purportedly stolen California drivers licenses, social security numbers, and banking routing and account numbers."

A search was then conducted at his home in Los Angeles, which netted "two boxes of .380 caliber automatic pistol rounds, which, under the terms of his probation, he was barred from possessing," according to reports.

The 44-year-old Militonyan is no stranger to the law, and in fact had been previously convicted for property theft and attempted extortion. He was on probation at the time of his traffic stop and subsequent arrest, and had been on the FBI's wanted list for his involvement in a federal health care fraud case. The Daily News explains:

Militonyan is accused of financing and operating at least two illicit medical clinics in Los Angeles, according to the indictment. Using the doctor's legitimate Medicare provider number, the men are accused of billing the taxpayer-funded federal Medicare program for services and tests that were not necessary or were not provided, then taking the cash for themselves, according to the indictment.
Militonyan is currently in custody. Health care fraud, particularly those involving Medicare, Medi-Cal, and the senior citizen community, is a costly and widespread problem in the state. Militonyan's fraudulent efforts allegedly brought him at least $1.5 million.

Email This Entry







Advertisement: LAist Continues Below!

Post a comment (Comment Policy)

2003-2008 Gothamist LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. We use MovableType.