Prepared by Messenger Staff
Georgian National Charged in $1.3 Billion U.S. Healthcare Fraud Case
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 33-year-old Georgian national Erekle Gugava with conspiracy to launder proceeds from an alleged $1.3 billion healthcare fraud scheme.
According to the DOJ, Gugava was a money launderer for a Russia-based transnational criminal organization and owned Pennsylvania-based ND Medical Solutions LLC from February to July 2025.
During that period, ND Medical submitted at least $1.3 billion in fraudulent medical equipment claims to Medicare and private insurers, while receiving about $6.5 million in payments, the department said.
Gugava allegedly opened bank accounts for ND Medical and transferred fraud proceeds to overseas accounts for the benefit of the organization.
The DOJ said the scheme also used the stolen identities of Americans, including elderly and disabled people, to support fraudulent insurance claims.
The department described the case, uncovered through "Operation Gold Rush," as the largest healthcare fraud case it has prosecuted.
Gugava faces one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Samkharadze Calls on EU to Engage With Georgian Dream Government
Georgian Dream Parliament Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Nikoloz Samkharadze called on the European Union to take a pragmatic approach and engage with Georgia's elected government.
Samkharadze said Kaja Kallas had repeatedly stated that the EU does not support the Georgian government and therefore does not engage with it.
"We cannot change the color of our eyes, hair color or nose shape depending on whether Kaja Kallas or any other politician likes it or not," Samkharadze told journalists.
"This is the government elected by Georgian society. Accordingly, I think that in the case of a pragmatic approach, the European Union should talk to the government elected by Georgian society," he said.
His comments came after EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said discussions were intensifying on preparations for future EU enlargement. She did not mention Georgia in her remarks.
