Covina Couple Charged in $5.2M Medicare Hospice Fraud Scheme

Authorities allege the couple used kickbacks to obtain patient referrals and enrolled individuals not terminally ill in hospice programs.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:34pm

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An extreme close-up of a stack of medical paperwork and a pill bottle, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The harsh, unforgiving light of an investigation exposes the paperwork behind an alleged multi-million-dollar Medicare fraud scheme.Los Angeles Today

Amelou Gill, a registered nurse, and her husband Gladwin Gill, a psychologist, were arrested at their Covina home for allegedly submitting over $5.2 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for hospice services that were either unnecessary or not provided. Prosecutors say the couple used the proceeds for personal expenses like mortgage payments, travel, and other discretionary spending.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of healthcare fraud, which can have significant financial and ethical consequences for taxpayers and the healthcare system. Hospice fraud in particular has been an area of concern, with the Southern California region identified as high-risk for such schemes.

The details

According to federal prosecutors, Amelou and Gladwin Gill owned and operated St. Francis Palliative Care in Anaheim, where they allegedly submitted over $5.2 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for hospice services that were either not medically necessary or not provided. Authorities say the couple paid illegal kickbacks to obtain patient referrals and enrolled individuals who were not terminally ill in hospice programs. The couple is accused of using the fraudulent proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle, including mortgage payments, car payments, travel, and other discretionary spending.

  • The couple was arrested at their Covina residence on April 2, 2026 in an early morning enforcement action.

The players

Amelou Gill

A 70-year-old registered nurse who co-owned St. Francis Palliative Care with her husband.

Gladwin Gill

A 66-year-old psychologist who co-owned St. Francis Palliative Care with his wife.

St. Francis Palliative Care

The Anaheim-based hospice care provider owned by the Gill couple, where the alleged Medicare fraud scheme took place.

T. March Bell

Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

Akil Davis

Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.

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What they’re saying

“The defendants charged in this takedown allegedly turned hospice care into a cash producing operation, resulting in more than $50 million in losses to taxpayers.”

— T. March Bell, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General

“The Southern California region is a high-risk environment for hospice-related fraud.”

— Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI's Los Angeles Field Office

What’s next

The couple is expected to appear in federal court in the coming days, where a judge will determine if they will be allowed bail pending trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing problem of healthcare fraud, particularly in the hospice care industry, and the need for continued vigilance and enforcement to protect taxpayer funds and ensure the integrity of Medicare and other government healthcare programs.