ORANGE, CALIFORNIA — Paul Richard Randall was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison on September 9, 2026, for orchestrating a Medi-Cal fraud scheme. United States District Judge Mark C. Scarsi also ordered Randall to pay $178,746,556 in restitution. Randall pleaded guilty on April 7, 2025, to one count of wire fraud committed while on release from a prior conviction.

Kyrollos Mekail, 38, of Moreno Valley, was identified as the owner of Monte Vista Pharmacy during the scheme. Nurse practitioner Patricia Anderson, 59, of West Hills, attributed 85% of the pharmacy's claims to her name as part of the operation.

Randall, Mekail and Anderson exploited Medi-Cal’s suspension of prior authorization requirements to submit the claims. This suspension was part of an ongoing transition of the prescription drug program to a new payment system.

The fraudulent claims involved 19 expensive, non-contracted drugs that contained low-cost, generic ingredients. Some medications purportedly treated pain and included Folite tablets, a vitamin available over the counter.

"This defendant took advantage of California’s weak systems allowing him to submit $270 million in fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal in less than a year," First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said. "Today’s prison sentence underscores our department’s determination to aggressively punish criminals who steal from public health programs."

Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald stated that Randall targeted vulnerable populations through the scheme. "Paul Randall exploited a temporary change in Medi-Cal’s prescription drug reimbursement system to steal hundreds of millions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars meant to help California’s neediest residents," McDonald said. He added that the sentence sends a clear message to those who would abuse public benefit programs.

FBI Los Angeles Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy described the scale of the theft. "The amount of money Paul Randall stole from California taxpayers through his fraud scheme is staggering," Grandy said. He noted that by exploiting a loophole, Randall billed nearly $270 million, laundered it to evade detection and paid kickbacks to co-schemers.

Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Miranda L. Bennett of HHS-OIG addressed the impact on the healthcare system. "This case exposes unbridled greed at the expense of patients and taxpayers," Bennett said. She stated that stealing funds meant for essential care erodes trust in the health care system and that her agency will continue to pursue those who exploit federal programs.

Randall agreed to forfeit bank account balances exceeding $17 million as part of the proceedings. The government has seized $126.5 million in assets linked to the fraud, including $111 million in bank funds, nine luxury vehicles and nine real properties.

Randall had a prior criminal conviction in 2012 for conspiracy to commit mail fraud. That case involved kickbacks to chiropractors and physicians to refer workers’ compensation patients.

Why It Matters

The sentence serves as a deterrent to healthcare fraud according to the Department of Justice and HHS-OIG. Prosecutors and court records indicate the fraud exploited systemic vulnerabilities during a transition period in the state's prescription drug reimbursement system.

Timeline

Paul Richard Randall pleaded guilty on April 7, 2025, to one count of wire fraud committed while on release. On September 9, 2026, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy stated, "By exploiting a loophole in the Medi-Cal system, he was able to bill nearly $270 million dollars, then launder it to evade detection and pay kickbacks to his co-schemers." Also on September 9, 2026, First Assistant United States Attorney Essayli said, "This defendant took advantage of California’s weak systems allowing him to submit $270 million in fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal in less than a year." Essayli added on the same date, "Today’s prison sentence underscores our department’s determination to aggressively punish criminals who steal from public health programs." Grandy further stated on September 9, 2026, "Today’s sentencing sends a strong message to anyone considering defrauding health care benefit programs that the federal government is actively seeking fraudulent claims and will pursue prosecution." Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald said on September 9, 2026, "Paul Randall exploited a temporary change in Medi-Cal’s prescription drug reimbursement system to steal hundreds of millions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars meant to help California’s neediest residents." McDonald also stated on that date, "Today’s sentence sends a clear message to those who would abuse our public benefit programs to line their own pockets: The Fraud Division will aggressively prosecute you and seek to hold you accountable to the fullest extent permissible under the law." On September 9, 2026, Paul Richard Randall was ordered to pay $178,746,556 in restitution.

What's New

Later reporting identified Randall’s co-conspirator, Mekail, as the owner of Monte Vista Pharmacy, which billed Medi-Cal over $269 million during the scheme, with 85% of claims attributed to nurse practitioner Anderson. Additional context shows this case represents one of the highest health care fraud sentences in the Central District of California’s history, with Randall receiving 30 years for orchestrating $269 million in fraudulent claims. Further details reveal the government has seized $126.5 million in assets linked to Randall’s fraud, including $111 million in bank funds, nine luxury vehicles, and nine real properties, exceeding the $17 million in forfeited bank accounts mentioned in known facts. Historical records indicate Paul Richard Randall had a prior criminal conviction in 2012 for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, involving kickbacks to chiropractors and physicians to refer workers’ compensation patients.

How Sources Differ

Regarding Monte Vista Pharmacy, justice.gov states that Randall’s co-conspirator, Mekail, was identified as the owner of Monte Vista Pharmacy, which billed Medi-Cal over $269 million during the scheme, with 85% of claims attributed to nurse practitioner Anderson. In contrast, the U.S. Department of Justice press release states that Medi-Cal paid more than $178 million for fraudulent claims submitted by Monte Vista Pharmacy. In contrast, the U.S. Department of Justice press release states that from May 2022 to April 2023, Monte Vista Pharmacy billed Medi-Cal more than $269 million.