Boston, September 26, 2025
News Summary
The U.S. Justice Department has expanded its Health Care Fraud Unit’s New England Strike Force to Massachusetts, enhancing federal enforcement resources against complex health care fraud. With specialized prosecutors and collaboration with state agencies, the initiative aims to combat improper billing and fraudulent schemes within Boston’s health care institutions. This expansion follows significant recoveries in fraudulently obtained funds and recent successful prosecutions, underscoring the urgency of tackling health care fraud in a key sector of innovation.
Boston — The U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced the expansion of its Health Care Fraud Unit’s New England Strike Force to the District of Massachusetts. This expansion aims to bolster federal enforcement resources in a significant health care and life sciences hub. The enhancement of the strike force is to focus on detecting, investigating, and prosecuting complex health care fraud schemes in Massachusetts.
What the expansion does
The strike force expansion places specialized federal resources in Boston to increase scrutiny of improper billing, false claims, and complex schemes tied to the region’s hospitals, research centers, and life sciences companies. Specialized prosecutors and a data-driven, multi-agency model will be utilized as a powerful force multiplier for investigations. Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti highlighted Boston as a major center for health care institutions and life sciences innovation.
Who is involved
The strike force will operate through collaboration between federal and state partners. The strike force will collaborate with several federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care Fraud Unit, the FBI, IRS, and the Massachusetts Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The initiative reflects the commitment of various federal bodies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, to tackle fraud in the health care sector.
Leadership and history
The New England Strike Force was launched in 2022, and its current leadership includes Fraud Section Assistant Chief Kevin Lowell. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts has a long-standing reputation for leading the nation in health care fraud enforcement.
Scope and recent results
In FY 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Health Care Fraud Unit recovered over $450 million in fraudulently obtained funds. The Office has successfully prosecuted numerous health care fraud cases involving pharmaceutical and medical device companies and unethical practitioners. A notable case involved Dr. Le Thu, a Boston emergency medicine physician, who pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare of approximately $25.3 million for genetic testing services that were never provided.
Nationwide context
The expansion of the strike force comes after a historic national health care fraud takedown in June, which resulted in 324 defendants charged across multiple districts. The FBI emphasized the need for continued efforts to combat health care fraud, which costs taxpayers billions annually. Future collaborations are expected to enhance capacity to dismantle criminal networks involved in health care fraud.
Why Boston matters
Boston’s strategic significance in health care innovation poses both opportunities and challenges for federal authorities regarding health care fraud. Fraud actors working in health care, including corporate executives, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device manufacturers, are being put on notice as authorities increase scrutiny. The Health Care Fraud Strike Force aims to improve efficiencies and coordination in combating health care fraud. The collaboration allows for strengthened protections for Medicare and Medicaid from fraudulent practices.
Next steps
Federal and state partners will coordinate investigations, share data, and pursue prosecutions aimed at networks and individuals who exploit public health care programs. The expansion is intended to speed detection and legal action while protecting taxpayer-funded programs in Massachusetts and contributing to broader Nationwide enforcement efforts.
FAQ
- What did the U.S. Justice Department announce?
- The U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced the expansion of its Health Care Fraud Unit’s New England Strike Force to the District of Massachusetts.
- What is the goal of the expansion?
- This expansion aims to bolster federal enforcement resources in a significant health care and life sciences hub.
- What will the enhanced strike force focus on?
- The enhancement of the strike force is to focus on detecting, investigating, and prosecuting complex health care fraud schemes in Massachusetts.
- What operational model will be used?
- Specialized prosecutors and a data-driven, multi-agency model will be utilized as a powerful force multiplier for investigations.
- Who will the strike force work with?
- The strike force will collaborate with several federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care Fraud Unit, the FBI, IRS, and the Massachusetts Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
- When was the New England Strike Force launched and who leads it?
- The New England Strike Force was launched in 2022, and its current leadership includes Fraud Section Assistant Chief Kevin Lowell.
- How much did the U.S. Attorney’s Health Care Fraud Unit recover in FY 2025?
- In FY 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Health Care Fraud Unit recovered over $450 million in fraudulently obtained funds.
- Is there a notable recent case tied to this enforcement?
- A notable case involved Dr. Le Thu, a Boston emergency medicine physician, who pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare of approximately $25.3 million for genetic testing services that were never provided.
- Was there a related Nationwide enforcement action?
- The expansion of the strike force comes after a historic national health care fraud takedown in June, which resulted in 324 defendants charged across multiple districts.
- What broader benefits are expected from this collaboration?
- The collaboration allows for strengthened protections for Medicare and Medicaid from fraudulent practices.
{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What did the U.S. Justice Department announce?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced the expansion of its Health Care Fraud Unit’s New England Strike Force to the District of Massachusetts.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is the goal of the expansion?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “This expansion aims to bolster federal enforcement resources in a significant health care and life sciences hub.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What will the enhanced strike force focus on?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The enhancement of the strike force is to focus on detecting, investigating, and prosecuting complex health care fraud schemes in Massachusetts.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What operational model will be used?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Specialized prosecutors and a data-driven, multi-agency model will be utilized as a powerful force multiplier for investigations.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Who will the strike force work with?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The strike force will collaborate with several federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care Fraud Unit, the FBI, IRS, and the Massachusetts Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “When was the New England Strike Force launched and who leads it?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The New England Strike Force was launched in 2022, and its current leadership includes Fraud Section Assistant Chief Kevin Lowell.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How much did the U.S. Attorney’s Health Care Fraud Unit recover in FY 2025?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “In FY 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Health Care Fraud Unit recovered over $450 million in fraudulently obtained funds.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Is there a notable recent case tied to this enforcement?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “A notable case involved Dr. Le Thu, a Boston emergency medicine physician, who pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare of approximately $25.3 million for genetic testing services that were never provided.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Was there a related Nationwide enforcement action?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The expansion of the strike force comes after a historic national health care fraud takedown in June, which resulted in 324 defendants charged across multiple districts.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What broader benefits are expected from this collaboration?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The collaboration allows for strengthened protections for Medicare and Medicaid from fraudulent practices.”
}
}
]
}
Quick reference table
| Item | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | The U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced the expansion of its Health Care Fraud Unit’s New England Strike Force to the District of Massachusetts. | State-level |
| Main goal | This expansion aims to bolster federal enforcement resources in a significant health care and life sciences hub. | State-level |
| Primary focus | The enhancement of the strike force is to focus on detecting, investigating, and prosecuting complex health care fraud schemes in Massachusetts. | State-level |
| Partners | The strike force will collaborate with several federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care Fraud Unit, the FBI, IRS, and the Massachusetts Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. | State-level |
| FY 2025 recoveries | In FY 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Health Care Fraud Unit recovered over $450 million in fraudulently obtained funds. | State-level |
| Notable case | A notable case involved Dr. Le Thu, a Boston emergency medicine physician, who pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare of approximately $25.3 million for genetic testing services that were never provided. | State-level |
| Related Nationwide action | The expansion of the strike force comes after a historic national health care fraud takedown in June, which resulted in 324 defendants charged across multiple districts. | Nationwide |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Massachusetts Job Market Faces Uncertainty Amid Hiring Freezes
Court Dismisses Multiple Criminal Cases in Boston Amid Attorney Work Stoppage
Attorney Faces Federal Charges for Wire Fraud in Boston
Cape Cod Nurse Charged with Drug Larceny in East Boston
Josh Kraft Proposes New Reentry Program for Formerly Incarcerated
Boston Man Faces Charges After Alarming Car Theft Spree
Advocates Push for Extended MassHealth Coverage for ABA Therapy
Federal Appeals Court Overturns Convictions of Former State Police Union President
Proposed $880 Billion Medicaid Cuts Spark Controversy in Massachusetts
New Blood-Testing Startup Haemanthus Takes Center Stage
Additional Resources
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
