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Last week we took down a hospice fraud ring in Los Angeles County responsible for defrauding Medi-Cal and the state of California of $267 million.
This is the biggest hospice fraud bust in California history.
The perpetrators behind this scheme used stolen identities, created fake hospice companies, and billed California’s Medicaid system for nonexistent services for people who had no idea they were enrolled and did not need hospice care. It was a brazen, calculated criminal scheme and we put an end to it.
This is just the latest example of California DOJ’s longstanding and ongoing efforts to combat hospice fraud. Just since 2021, we’ve conducted 294 hospice-related investigations, filed 119 hospice-related criminal cases, and secured 51 hospice-related convictions.
Let this be a reminder to anyone targeting hospice care in California: We’re on the case and we will come for you.
Sincerely,
Rob
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Dismantling Major Hospice Fraud Scheme
 My office, together with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), announced charges against 21 suspects and the dismantling of a major hospice fraud scheme that defrauded California of $267 million. The investigation was initiated after California DOJ received a credible allegation of fraud from DHCS. Subsequent investigative efforts uncovered a scheme where individuals purchased personal identifying information for non-California residents from the dark web and enrolled those identities in Medi-Cal through Covered California. This wasn’t a mistake or a loophole; it was deliberate fraud. This kind of abuse undermines trust, drains critical resources, and threatens care for those who truly depend on it. This is a perfect example that we have taken a firm stand to investigate, prosecute, and shut down hospice fraud wherever it exists. If you suspect hospice fraud, you can report the incident to my office oag.ca.gov/dmfea/hospicefraud.
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Sponsoring Legislation to Continue Transparency at Immigration Detention Facilities
 I announced my sponsorship of Senate Bill (SB) 1399, which ensures conditions at immigration detention facilities are documented by the California DOJ and reported to the Legislature and the general public. California’s existing detention-facility review framework, established under Assembly Bill (AB) 103, requires DOJ to report on conditions of confinement as well as the standard of care and due process provided to detained individuals through July 1, 2027. SB 1399 removes the sunset provision of AB 103 so that these critical reports continue past 2027. Since the beginning of the first Trump Administration, DOJ has shined a light on the inhumane and substandard conditions at immigration detention facilities across California through rigorous inspections and periodic reports. I’m proud to sponsor SB 1399 to ensure continued transparency around these facilities past 2027.
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Alerting Californians to Social Media Investment Scams
 This week, I issued an alert warning Californians about the prevalence of fraudulent investment scams across Meta platforms, including on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as well as on other online platforms. Scammers are increasingly using deceptive advertisements and deepfake technology to lure people into high-stakes scams in order to then defraud them of their savings. I encourage Californians to learn about common scams and review tips to protect themselves, and I urge investors to scrutinize social media investment ads before investing. Anyone who may have been a victim of these types of scams can report it to oag.ca.gov/report.
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Ensuring Federal Attorneys Engaged in Misconduct are Held Accountable
 I joined a multistate comment letter of 22 attorneys general in opposing the U.S. Department of Justice’s (U.S. DOJ) proposed rule that would undercut State Bar disciplinary proceedings against federal attorneys by allowing U.S. DOJ to review allegations — including if they violated any ethics rule while engaged in federal duties — against its own attorneys. More troubling, the U.S. Attorney General would have the authority to request the State Bar disciplinary authority to suspend or displace any investigative steps pending U.S. DOJ’s review. This rule is an abuse of authority and against the law. It is unethical for the federal government to have unchecked control over any attorney’s conduct, and it remains critical for the states to retain their independent authority over attorneys licensed or practicing within their jurisdiction.
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Making Your Life Affordable
 From groceries to gas, costs seem to be rising and rising ... and rising. California DOJ has your back and is committed to protecting California families grappling with the high cost of living. In this segment, find some of the ways California DOJ is protecting Californians — and their wallets.
Hot Tip: Tax Day is April 15th! Through the CalFile program, eligible California taxpayers can file their 2025 state taxes for free!
What We Did: Last month, my office issued a consumer alert urging Californians to learn about free or low-cost tax filing options.
What This Means to You: For many families, tax season brings an opportunity to get a catch up on bills, build some financial breathing room for emergencies, or finally take the car in for repairs. As Tax Day approaches, many Californians turn to third-party tax preparation services for help filing their tax returns and too often wind up paying when they could file for free. Through the CalFile program, eligible California taxpayers can file their 2025 state taxes for free and keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.
Don't forget! You may qualify for up to $3,756 cash back or a reduction of the tax you owe under the California Earned Income Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit programs.
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Keeping You Safe
 At California DOJ, we are committed to protecting the children of California and to ensuring they can grow up safe, supported, and free from harm. This week, I announced that Eugene Anthony Souza was sentenced to the maximum possible sentence of 36 years in state prison for the sexual abuse of a young family member in Kings County. The felony charges were continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under 14. I want to commend the courage of the young survivor and her family for pursuing justice on her behalf. My office will continue to pursue justice relentlessly, support survivors every step of the way, and diligently investigate these crimes.
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CARE Corner
 Albert Lord, Community Outreach Manager for CARE, attended the 18th Annual Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival in Long Beach, CA to celebrate 2026 Khmer New Year and Khmer traditions through food, dance and community connection. This year’s theme “Peace Through Culture: Celebrating Unity Through Diversity,” is reminder that we as a community are stronger when its many parts come together.
Cambodia Town promotes Khmer culture, customs, and traditions to help create a thriving and peaceful community. Long Beach is home to the largest population of Cambodians outside of Cambodia and the parade and festival is the first of its kind held outside of Cambodia. The parade was originally created to serve as a unifying force for the Cambodian community and now has expanded to bring together people from all walks of life to celebrate diversity and cultural heritage.
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Post of the Week
 Californians: Be wary of investment scams on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp and other platforms.
Due to a recent uptick in social media investment scams, we’re releasing tips to help people identify these costly fraudulent schemes.
If you know anyone who may have been a victim of these scams, I urge you to report to my office at: oag.ca.gov/report.
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Video of the Week
 Protecting our elections isn’t partisan. It’s foundational to our democracy.
Every eligible voter should be able to vote, and every state and local elections official should be able to administer elections without fear of federal overreach or threats of prosecution.
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Make a Difference at California DOJ
 Apply today to help California DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians. Check out our featured jobs below and visit oag.ca.gov/careers for a full listing of available positions:
Deputy Attorney General Supervisor, Office of the Solicitor General
Deputy Attorney General IV, Business Litigation
Deputy Attorney General IV, Consumer Protection Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Appeals Writs and Trials Section
Deputy Attorney General III, Correctional Law Class Action
Software Application Developer, Application Development Bureau
Financial Solvency Auditor, DMFEA Civil Section
Assistant Office Manager, Legal Support Operations
Business Analyst, Bureau of Criminal Information & Analysis
Administrative Supervisor I, Civil Rights Enforcement Section
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