“The California DOJ Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse works, in part, to protect tax payer funds as they pertain to programs such as Medi-Cal. Protecting these programs from fraud means funds will be available for those who need it.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
MONTEREY COUNTY — On February 5, 2025, California Attorney General Bonta announced the arrests of, and filing of multiple felony charges against, seven individuals for hospice fraud in Monterey County. Among the individuals arrested is the owner of Compassionate Touch Hospice and Spiritual Touch Hospice, two co-owners of Fountain Hospice, three doctors, and one nurse. The arrest and charges are the result of investigations by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Health Service Office of the Inspector General.
“Abusing systems meant to support Californians, and putting profits before people and their families won’t be tolerated,” said Bonta.
California DOJ received a referral from the California Board of Registered Nursing after fraudulent activity was discovered and associated with Spiritual Touch Hospice and Compassionate Touch Hospice. The California DOJ Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse’s (DMFEA) multi-year investigation revealed a sophisticated conspiracy to defraud Medi-Cal and Medicare and allegedly involved the owners, doctors and nurses of Spiritual Touch Hospice, Compassionate Touch Hospice, and Fountain Hospice. The defendants owned, operated, or worked for the three hospice companies simultaneously. It is alleged they recruited, enrolled, and certified patients for hospice services who did not suffer from a terminal diagnosis. Some of these patients did not know hospice was intended for patients who were terminally ill, or that they were even enrolled in hospice. To avoid suspicion, the defendants allegedly transferred several patients between the three companies after six months and continued fraudulently billing for hospice services.
The total loss to Medi-Cal and Medicare is $3,211,419.79. On January 30, 2026, DMFEA filed felony charges in Monterey County Superior Court against:
- Nimfa Molina (Head Nurse),
- Luis Artavia (Medical Director),
- Mark Samonte (Medical Director),
- Shomir Banerjee (Medical Director),
- Danny Lodevico (Owner),
- Flor Mora (Owner), and
- Christine Nugiud-Yem (Owner)
alleging violations of false or fraudulent claims, conspiracy to commit a crime, with an aggravated white-collar enhancement.
The DMFEA is a California Department of Justice unit whose mission is to protect citizens and the state’s medical program from those who defraud taxpayers and divert state health care resources. The investigation would not have been possible without the collaboration of government agencies and those who reported the incidences of Medi-Cal fraud.
It is important to note that a criminal indictment contains charges that are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
A copy of the complaint can be found here.
