Federal authorities executed a series of high-profile raids on Thursday morning, arresting a psychologist and a nurse accused of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar Medicare fraud operation. Gladwin Gill, 66, and his wife, Amelou Gill, 70, were taken into custody at their San Dimas residence as part of a coordinated law enforcement action dubbed Operation Never Say Die.
The couple, who operated 626 Hospice under the name St. Francis Palliative Care, allegedly submitted $7.45 million in fraudulent claims to the federal government. Investigators contend the facility billed for end-of-life services provided to patients who were not actually terminal or, in many instances, for care that was never delivered.
Footage from the scene showed FBI SWAT agents breaching the couple’s metal front gate and using loudspeakers to order them out of the home. Agents were later seen removing numerous boxes of evidence from the property while the Gills were escorted away in handcuffs.
The arrests are part of a broader crackdown led by the Department of Justice and the Vice President’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Under the Trump administration, federal regulators have intensified efforts to root out exploitation within the hospice industry, which has seen a surge in fraudulent activity in Southern California.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, was present during the operation and highlighted the unusually high survival rates at the facility. Records indicated a survival rate of over 97 percent for patients enrolled in what was supposed to be terminal care.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that the region has become a high-risk environment for healthcare fraud and emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for those stealing from taxpayer programs. The Gills allegedly used the proceeds for personal expenses, including mortgage payments and luxury travel.
Public reaction on social media has been characterized by significant outrage, with many users condemning the exploitation of resources intended for the terminally ill. The case remains active as investigators process evidence seized during the raid.
The couple is expected to face formal charges in federal court this afternoon.