California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced criminal charges against Husam Aldairi, a Southern California dentist, and five of his employees. The group is accused of defrauding the state's Medi-Cal program of nearly $900,000 through a fraudulent billing scheme.
The individuals charged alongside Aldairi are Rawaa Attar, Lilyan Krikorian, Inci Narin, Laith Alani, and Fadi Shammas. They face charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and Medi-Cal fraud.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the seriousness of the charges by stating: “When providers defraud Medi-Cal, it not only undermines the integrity of the program but it also poses a significant threat to the patients who rely on its critical services for their health and well-being.” He affirmed that the California Department of Justice will continue to pursue accountability for those engaging in such frauds.
Aldairi's clinics were contracted with Borrego Community Health Foundation to deliver dental services to underserved populations. The reimbursement was based on patient visits rather than specific services performed. However, it is alleged that Aldairi falsely billed for unrendered services or claimed they were rendered over multiple days to maximize profit from Medi-Cal reimbursements. This allegedly resulted in more than $847,000 in fraudulent claims between 2016 and 2020.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse receives significant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—75 percent from a grant totaling $69,244,976 for Federal fiscal year 2025—with the remaining funds provided by the State of California.