Feb. 27--Two Glendale men were convicted this week of laundering more than $1 million generated through fraudulent billings to Medicare for equipment and tests that were either medically unnecessary or never provided, officials said.
After a three-week trial, a federal jury found Karen "Gary" Sarkissian guilty of six counts of money laundering, five counts of health care fraud and one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
NEWSLETTER: Stay up to date with what's going on in the 818 >>
Meanwhile, Edgar Pogosian, also known as Edgar Hakobyan, was convicted of one count each of conspiring to commit money laundering and money laundering.
Both are slated to be sentenced in June.
Officials said Sarkissian operated an Echo Park clinic, where a physician assistant, L'Tanya Smith, ordered medically unnecessary tests and services in 2009 and 2010 that led to more than $1.2 million in fraudulent Medicare claims.
Smith also ordered medically unnecessary durable medical equipment and tests that were referred to other Medicare providers, who then submitted more than $10 million in fraudulent claims. Smith pleaded guilty to five counts of healthcare fraud and is due to be sentenced in May.
According to the U.S. attorney's office, Sarkissian was involved in laundering the fraudulent proceeds through five bogus corporations established by two men also convicted in the scheme.
Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com
Twitter: @atchek
--
ALSO:
Four suspects charged in connection to Glendale street robberies
Patrons of Montrose's City Hall Coffee Shop gather to celebrate 38-year owner, who is retiring
Police seek suspects in Glendale package theft caught on camera
