Earlier today, an indictment was unsealed at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, charging Oleg Beretsky with multiple offenses, including conspiring to commit health care fraud and money laundering. Beretsky was apprehended in Naples, Florida, and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.
The announcement came from John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Naomi Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations New York (HSI New York); and Harry T. Chavis Jr., Special Agent in Charge at Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation New York (IRS-CI).
“As alleged, elderly individuals trusted the defendant to help them with their health care decisions," stated United States Attorney Durham. "Rather than look out for the interests of some of the most vulnerable members of our community, he sold access to those who trusted him to the highest bidder."
Durham also acknowledged assistance from HSI’s Fort Myers office and the New York City Police Department.
“Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute can divert much-needed federal health care program funds and corrupt the medical decision-making process,” said HHS-OIG Special Agent Gruchacz.
“The defendant and his co-conspirators are accused of pocketing more than $12 million while exploiting the unknowing public,” stated HSI New York Special Agent Alfonso.
IRS-CI Special Agent Chavis remarked on Beretsky's alleged actions: “Millions of dollars were stolen from the American benefits system.”
Court documents allege that between January 2017 and April 2024, Beretsky operated Obest Inc., a company based in Plainview, New York. The company allegedly engaged in referring Medicare patients to healthcare providers for kickbacks. Many patients were immigrants from former Soviet Union countries whom Beretsky identified through a nonprofit agency serving senior citizens.
Beretsky is accused of controlling patient-provider relationships to benefit financially by directing referrals only to providers willing to pay him kickbacks. Allegedly over $22 million was billed fraudulently to Medicare as part of this scheme.
The charges against Beretsky are currently allegations; he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 20 years imprisonment for money laundering conspiracy alone.
Assistant United States Attorney Joshua B. Dugan leads prosecution efforts with support from Paralegal Specialists Liam McNett and Timothy Migliaro.
OLEG BERETSKY
Age: 67
Naples, Florida
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-91 (RPK)