Ciera Washington, 35, of the Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty on June 15, 2026, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and aggravated identity theft for her role in a multi-state prescription fraud ring that caused nearly $4 million in losses to the New York Medicaid program.
Washington admitted to collaborating with Raven White, Bryan Otero, and others from April 2023 through October 2024. The group stole personally identifiable information of Medicaid beneficiaries to fraudulently obtain prescription medications from pharmacies across the Northeastern United States. In addition to the Medicaid losses, tens of thousands of dollars were lost by pharmacies, and Washington agreed to forfeit over $400,000 in proceeds and consent to an order of restitution.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, "Healthcare fraud is theft from both the taxpayers and the vulnerable individuals these programs are designed to serve." Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany FBI, added, "Americans suffer when criminals like Ms. Washington and her co-defendants defraud government programs."
Naomi D. Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge of HHS-OIG, highlighted the dangers, stating, "Actions like hers can harm Medicaid beneficiaries by violating their benefits and privacy information, harm the Medicaid program by driving up costs for prescriptions that were not legitimate, and harm the public through the diversion of prescription medication." Washington faces up to 10 years in prison for fraud and a mandatory consecutive 2-year term for aggravated identity theft at her sentencing on October 14, 2026. This case, investigated by the FBI, HHS-OIG, and the New York State Comptroller’s Office, supports the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.