The Nevada attorney general announced the indictment of a contractor working in the plastic surgery department of the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center here July 30.
Shanita Flax was charged with 18 counts of theft and one count of attempted theft.
One of her duties was to discuss pricing with women considering a breast augmentation procedure. For women who were having reconstruction following breast cancer or an occupational injury, the surgery is covered by government-issued insurance. The patient pays for both the procedure and the implants if the surgery is for cosmetic reasons.
Flax allegedly requested cash from patients to pay for the implants, kept the cash and ordered the implants through the government supply chain as if they were for a cancer patient. The indictment alleges she was able to obtain $9,200 from the victims and defrauded the Air Force out of an additional $10,200.
This is the culmination of a two-year investigation by the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Nevada Attorney General’s fraud unit.
“Nellis Air Force Base has traditionally had a very close working relationship with the Nevada Attorney General’s office,” said 99th Air Base Wing commander, Col. Barry Cornish.
“In this particular case, the AFOSI Detachment 206 here worked with state investigators from the insurance fraud division for nearly two years to bring to justice someone who was clearly defrauding our Airmen and their families.”
“I am proud of the teamwork involved on all sides to protect our military men and women and their families, as well as to ensure criminals are apprehended and prosecuted,” Cornish said.
People who think they might be a victim in this case can call AFOSI Detachment 206 at 702-652-3433.
