WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dr. Rolando Chin, a Panamanian surgeon, has pleaded guilty to fraud charges in connection with a multi-million-dollar scheme that targeted the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Foreign Medical Program, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Chin admitted to submitting false and inflated claims for medical procedures and prescriptions that were allegedly provided to U.S. veterans living abroad — many of which, investigators found, were never actually performed or dispensed.
According to court records, the scheme involved dozens of Panamanian doctors, pharmacies, and medical entities working together to fraudulently bill the VA for nonexistent services.
A criminal complaint filed in December 2022 named nearly 40 individuals and organizations, including physicians, hospitals, and corporations. Chin is the first to enter a criminal plea, and authorities confirmed a restitution agreement has been reached to begin recovering stolen funds.
As a result of the case, the VA suspended all involved parties in August 2024, and has since projected a 50% reduction in Panama-based medical expenses for Fiscal Year 2025 — a move expected to save U.S. taxpayers approximately $25 million.
“The Department is committed to combating fraud against the United States wherever such conduct occurs,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth, crediting Panamanian authorities for their collaboration in the investigation.
