A dozen chiropractors across Los Angeles County were charged Tuesday in a $2.5 million insurance fraud scheme involving medical claims related to car collisions.
The group faces nine felony counts, including defrauding around 30 insurance companies of more than $500,000, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
The group’s alleged ringleader, Yury Chernega, 49, of Studio City also faces four separate counts of insurance fraud and one count of money laundering.
"Defrauding insurance companies is a serious crime that costs all of us in the form of higher premiums," L.A. District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.
"We will continue to work with local, state and federal regulators to protect consumers from financial crimes."