Mega fraudster slapped with maximum sentence after $270M California scheme exposed

A California fraudster who allegedly turned a taxpayer-funded health program into his personal cash machine is going away for three decades after pumping nearly $270 million in bogus claims into Medi-Cal.Paul Richard Randall, 67, of Orange, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison — the statutory maximum — and ordered to pay more than $178-million in restitution after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud in April 2026.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story “This defendant took advantage of California’s weak systems allowing him to submit $270 million in fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal in less than a year,” First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said.The 11-month scheme allegedly ran through Monte Vista Pharmacy, where tens of millions of dollars in claims were submitted every month for high-reimbursement, non-contracted generic drugs.The alleged price gouging was staggering.One prescription for generic meloxicam 5 mg was billed at approximately $13,424, even though the drug typically costs between $5 and $25 for a 30-day supply in larger dosages.Pain creams and Folite tablets, an over-the-counter vitamin, were also part of the alleged fraud.Court documents say the medications were medically unnecessary, frequently never dispensed to patients and obtained through illegal kickbacks.The operation allegedly depended on a network of payoffs.Patient marketers received kickbacks in exchange for Medi-Cal beneficiary information, while nurse practitioner Patricia Anderson, 59, of West Hills, was paid to sign pre-filled prescriptions.Prosecutors said Anderson never met the patients, reviewed their medical records or determined whether the drugs were medically necessary before signing the prescriptions.Pharmacist and pharmacy owner Kyrollos Mek...