A California physician who defrauded Medicare of more than $45 million to finance lavish trips, high-end vehicles and a $12,000 antique crossbow has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
Violetta Mailyan, 45, of Glendale, was convicted of orchestrating a sweeping scheme through her Healthy Way Medical Center clinic. Prosecutors said she filed false Medicare claims for Botox injections that were medically unwarranted, cosmetic in nature or never administered.
The case involved far more than fabricated billing records. Mailyan allegedly sought reimbursement for procedures listed on days when the clinic was closed—and on dates when she was out of the country or vacationing elsewhere.
Trial evidence showed that claims totaling more than $19 million described Botox injections that were supposedly carried out while the medical center was not operating.
Other fraudulent claims were submitted while Mailyan was traveling in Mexico, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Pennsylvania and New York, according to prosecutors.
In one striking instance, she billed Medicare for more than $200,000 in treatments allegedly provided to California patients while she was actually vacationing on a beach in Cabo.
Medicare covers Botox injections only when they are medically necessary for patients with documented chronic migraines.
Prosecutors said Mailyan exploited that coverage by billing for thousands of injections that did not take place, were performed solely for cosmetic reasons or involved patients who had not received the required primary-care referrals for chronic migraine treatment.
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The proceeds, authorities said, fueled an extravagant spending spree.
Among the purchases were a 17th-century crossbow valued at $12,000 and a $3,000 painting.
Jurors also determined that Mailyan used the fraud proceeds to purchase two Tesla vehicles, including a Cybertruck, as well as five California properties.
The sentencing judge condemned the scheme as “truly breathtaking in scope and shocking in its duration,” calling Mailyan’s conduct “almost unbelievable in their brazenness.”
The financial penalties were equally significant. The court ordered the immediate forfeiture of more than $16 million in seized assets, including real estate, personal belongings, securities and funds held in bank accounts. The assets will be returned to the United States.
Mailyan must also pay Medicare $32,904,049.41 in restitution. Federal officials said they will continue pursuing the recovery of additional stolen funds.
Her conviction came after a six-day federal jury trial that concluded in May 2026.
Jurors found Mailyan guilty of nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of obstructing a criminal investigation tied to a health care offense.
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