Dermatologist Violetta Mailyan sentenced to 15 years for Medicare fraud

Cosmetic Dermatologist Sentenced for $45 Million Medicare Fraud

Violetta Mailyan, a cosmetic dermatologist based in Glendale, California, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for orchestrating a $45 million healthcare fraud scheme. The Justice Department announced the sentence following a six-day jury trial that concluded in May 2026, where jurors found Mailyan guilty of nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of obstruction of a criminal investigation.

The prosecution detailed how Mailyan utilized her Healthy Way Medical Center clinic to submit thousands of fraudulent claims to Medicare for Botox injections. While Medicare covers Botox when deemed medically necessary for chronic migraines, evidence showed Mailyan billed for procedures that were purely cosmetic, never performed, or administered to patients who lacked the required referrals. Mailyan billed taxpayers for more than $19 million in treatments supposedly performed on days when her clinic was closed.

Billing Medicare While Traveling Funds Luxury Purchases

Mailyan’s financial records revealed a pattern of billing Medicare even while she was traveling abroad or across the United States. Prosecutors noted that she submitted claims for services while vacationing in Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, and New York. In one instance, Mailyan billed the government more than $200,000 for treatments allegedly performed on California patients while she was on a beach in Cabo, Mexico.

The illicit proceeds were used to fund a lifestyle of luxury, including the purchase of two Tesla vehicles—one of which was a Cybertruck—and five pieces of California real estate. Authorities also recovered a 17th-century antique crossbow valued at $12,000 and a $3,000 painting, both of which were purchased with funds stolen from the federal program.

Judge Orders Millions in Restitution and Asset Forfeiture

The sentencing judge ordered Mailyan to pay $32,904,049.41 in restitution to Medicare. The court ordered the immediate forfeiture of more than $16 million in assets, including the real estate and securities seized during the investigation.

This case is part of a broader series of recent federal prosecutions involving medical professionals. Several other practitioners face separate criminal charges, including a New Jersey fertility specialist accused of sexual assault and a Florida pharmacist recently sentenced to over seven years in prison for the illegal distribution of over 300,000 oxycodone pills.

Questions Regarding Future Oversight

Federal prosecutors have stated they will aggressively pursue the return of the stolen funds.

More on this story: California Doctor Sentenced to 15 Years in $45M Botox Medicare Fraud Scheme