Health care fraud architect Herbert Kimble gets 20 years, $199 million bill

Herbert Kimble will serve 20 years in federal prison and pay more than $199 million in restitution to Medicare. The sentencing took place in Columbia, S.C., on Monday. Kimble also must forfeit more than $195 million in what prosecutors called ill-gotten gains. He faces three additional years of court-ordered supervision after his release.

Kimble pleaded guilty in 2019 to conspiring to commit health care fraud and defraud the United States. His scheme involved telemedicine companies and durable medical equipment for back, shoulder, wrist, and knee braces. Prosecutors stated that Kimble ran offshore call centers to recruit elderly Medicare beneficiaries. He paid kickbacks to telemedicine firms for signed prescriptions and sold those orders to equipment companies that billed Medicare. Court filings estimate the intended loss at more than $400 million, with Kimble personally gaining more than $195 million.

The case became part of Operation Brace Yourself after Kimble cooperated with investigators. He failed to appear for three court dates in the fall of 2024 and fled to the Philippines. He remained a fugitive for nearly two years. In June 2026, the FBI added him to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list. Agents apprehended him in the Philippines days later and returned him to the United States. Kimble later pleaded guilty to three counts of failure to appear as part of the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.

Bryan Stirling, the U.S. attorney for the District of South Carolina, said the sentence matches the seriousness of the crimes. “Kimble orchestrated one of the largest international healthcare fraud schemes in our nation’s history,” Stirling said. “Today’s sentence underscores the seriousness of his crimes and reinforces the Department of Justice’s commitment to investigate and prosecute those who steal from American taxpayers.” Kimble is not eligible for parole.

The sentencing concludes the federal case against Kimble. The restitution order will be processed by the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. The forfeiture of assets will be managed by the Department of Justice. Kimble will begin his prison term upon transfer from federal custody.