Los Angeles – A social media video posted Wednesday by Dr. Mehmet oz is igniting controversy, drawing sharp criticism from the Armenian community and prompting a response from California’s governor. The former television host accused Armenian-owned businesses in Van Nuys of being fraudulent fronts for criminal activity, sparking accusations of prejudice and harming reputations.
Accusations of Fraud Target Armenian Businesses
Dr. oz’s video alleges widespread healthcare fraud linked to businesses run by Armenian Americans in Southern California.
- Dr. Oz claimed roughly $3.5 billion in fraud is occurring in Los Angeles hospice and homecare, allegedly linked to the “Russian Armenian Mafia.”
- California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office stated it is reviewing the reports and taking the allegations seriously, condemning any acts of hate.
- Community advocates argue Dr. Oz’s statements fuel Armenophobia and unfairly target legitimate businesses.
- Several Armenian-owned businesses have reported patients questioning the validity of their services following the video’s release.
In the video, Dr.Oz, a Trump administration appointee and former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, stands outside businesses in Van Nuys, alleging they are part of healthcare fraud schemes. “What we have learned, there’s roughly 3.5 billion dollars of fraud taking place here in Los Angeles, in hospice and homecare. It’s run quite a bit of it by the Russian Armenian Mafia, you notice the lettering and language behind me,” Dr. oz states in the video.
The accusations have been met with swift and strong condemnation. Governor Newsom’s office released a statement saying, “our office is reviewing reports that Dr.Mehmet Oz targeted the Armenian American community in Southern California recently, making racially charged claims of fraud outside Armenian-owned businesses, including a popular bakery. Given the historic sensitivities involved, we are taking these allegations seriously. Any and all acts of hate have no place in California.”
Dr.Oz responded to the Governor’s office, stating, “If there where a real defense for California’s fraud crisis, we’d hear it. CMS and law enforcement will keep doing the actual work: going after fraudsters, period.”
Garen Janbachian, with the Armenian National Committee of America, expressed outrage, stating Dr. Oz’s actions are deliberately harmful. “The store he’s standing in front of is a bakery, is like a family-owned bakery. They are of Armenian descent,” said Janbachian. “Drive this Armenophobia, the fear of Armenians, the portraying Armenians as a negative portraying Armenians as bad people forward. That agenda is being pushed forward through Dr. Oz.”
Several Armenian-owned businesses, including medical clinics, have expressed distress over the incident, though many declined to speak on camera, citing concerns about further damage to their reputations. “Someone from the federal government comes and says, ‘Oh, these businesses are fraudulent.’ And no matter how baseless they are, they do have their effects,” Janbachian explained.
What is the extent of the alleged fraud? Dr. Oz claims approximately $3.5 billion in fraudulent activity is occurring in Los Angeles hospice and homecare.
