FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS SIMON KATZ IN MEDICARE FRAUD CONSPIRACY INVOLVING FALSE CLAIMS AND FALSIFIED MEDICAL RECORDS

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal jury has convicted Simon Katz of participating in a health care fraud conspiracy that used fraudulent Medicare claims, falsified medical records and false regulatory documents to obtain payments through a Bay Area home health agency.

The jury returned its verdict following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge James Donato. Katz was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and remains in federal custody while awaiting sentencing.

Katz, 43, is from Boca Raton, Florida. Evidence presented during the trial established that he conspired with his wife, former HealthNow Home Healthcare CEO Veronica Katz, and two former agency employees to defraud Medicare.

HealthNow Home Healthcare was a home health agency based in Hayward, California.

According to court documents and trial evidence, the conspirators arranged for unqualified medical professionals to provide care and conduct patient assessments outside their authorized scope of practice. They billed Medicare for services that were never provided, altered medical records, forged physicians’ signatures and submitted false documents to California Department of Public Health inspectors.

The fraudulent regulatory documents were used to deceive inspectors and preserve HealthNow’s ability to submit claims and receive payments from Medicare.

The conspiracy began by at least October 1, 2018, when HealthNow started submitting fraudulent documents to state health inspectors, and continued through November 2020.

HealthNow received more than $3 million in payments based on claims submitted during that period. Simon Katz received $300,000 from the agency while the conspiracy was operating.

The evidence presented to jurors established that the scheme extended beyond fraudulent billing. Simon Katz also attempted to interfere with the federal investigation after learning that the FBI was examining HealthNow’s billing practices and patient assessments.

In October 2019, Simon and Veronica Katz met with a former HealthNow employee who told them that FBI agents had questioned her about the agency’s billing and medical-assessment practices.

Simon Katz instructed the former employee to lie to the FBI. He directed her to falsely tell investigators that she had been trained and supervised by a registered nurse while conducting patient assessments.

The false account was intended to conceal the use of personnel who were not properly qualified or supervised to perform the work represented in HealthNow’s Medicare claims and patient records.

“Simon Katz and his wife defrauded Medicare by altering medical records and forging doctor signatures, and in the process stole millions from the hardworking American taxpayer,” said U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “As part of the Administration’s War on Fraud, we will continue our unrelenting efforts to investigate and prosecute anyone who steals from the public and we hope this verdict sends a strong message that this conduct will not be tolerated.”

Simon Katz is the fourth defendant convicted in connection with the HealthNow investigation.

Veronica Katz pleaded guilty to health care fraud on April 18, 2024. She was sentenced on December 9, 2024, to two years in federal prison and ordered to pay $543,634.34 in restitution to Medicare and a $50,000 fine.

Vennesa Herrera pleaded guilty on August 30, 2021, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud. She is scheduled to appear for a status hearing on August 3, 2026.

Pharadja Andrews pleaded guilty on August 30, 2021, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. She is also scheduled for a status hearing on August 3, 2026.

“This verdict underscores the FBI’s commitment to protecting the integrity of federal health care programs and the patients who rely on them,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble of the FBI San Francisco Field Office. “Katz and his co-conspirators orchestrated a deliberate scheme that put vulnerable patients at risk and stole from Medicare. We will continue working with our partners to ensure those who defraud our health care system are held accountable.”

Special Agent in Charge Robb R. Breeden of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s San Francisco Regional Office said uncovering and prosecuting complex health care fraud requires years of determined investigative work and close coordination among federal and state partners. He said the verdict reflects the sustained efforts of HHS OIG and its law enforcement partners, adding that the agency will continue working to protect Medicare and uphold the integrity of the programs and patients entrusted to its care.

Katz faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The statutory maximum does not represent a predetermined sentence.

Judge Donato will determine Katz’s sentence after considering the applicable U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing factors established under 18 U.S.C. § 3553. A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Highsmith and Kevin Yeh are prosecuting the case with assistance from Kevin Costello and Lynette Dixon.

The FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the California Department of Public Health investigated the conspiracy.

The Department of Justice announced the creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division on April 7, 2026. The division is responsible for investigating and prosecuting fraud committed against the American public. Its work supports President Donald J. Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a government-wide initiative chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance that focuses on fraud, waste and abuse within federal benefit programs.

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