California Physician Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison Over $45M Botox Fraud

A California doctor was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in federal prison for running a fraudulent medical practice that billed Medicare over $45 million. Violetta Mailyan, 45, of Glendale, owned and operated Healthy Way Medical Center, a clinic that claimed to provide cosmetic services.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Mailyan billed Medicare for thousands of Botox injections that were never provided, were purely cosmetic, or were given to patients without a referral from a primary care physician for chronic migraines. Medicare only reimburses Botox when it is medically necessary for documented chronic migraine cases.

Evidence of Fabricated Claims and Travel

Evidence revealed that Mailyan billed for thousands of injections totaling over $19 million on days when her clinic was closed. Prosecutors showed she submitted bills for services while she was on vacation in Hawaii, Mexico, Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, and New York. In one instance, she billed over $200,000 for treatments in California while relaxing on the beach in Cabo.

When federal investigators began closing in, Mailyan attempted to cover her tracks by forging Medicare beneficiary signatures and falsifying medical records. This included submitting records for a man who was actually in federal prison at the time she claimed to treat him.

Luxury Purchases and Financial Penalties

Mailyan used the stolen money to buy luxury items, including a $12,000 17th-century crossbow, a $3,000 painting, two Tesla vehicles (including a Cybertruck), and five pieces of California real estate. Following a six-day jury trial ending in May 2026, she was convicted of nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of obstruction of a criminal investigation.

The court ordered the immediate forfeiture of over $16,029,742 worth of property seized from Mailyan, including real estate, personal property, bank funds, and securities. Additionally, she was ordered to pay $32,904,049.41 in restitution to Medicare.

What This Means for Patients and Providers

This case highlights how federal authorities target medical providers who abuse public health benefit programs. Ordinary people and Medicare beneficiaries should regularly review their medical statements and explanation of benefits to ensure that all billed procedures match the care they actually received.

If you notice suspicious charges or services you never received on your medical statements, you can report them to the appropriate government authorities. Keeping meticulous personal health records and billing statements helps protect against fraudulent activity. Anyone facing similar allegations or health care investigations should consult an attorney immediately to understand their rights and legal options.

This article is general information based on U.S. Department of Justice and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published October 31, 2026.