Image via WikipediaLOS ANGELES—The former director of construction for Huntington Memorial Hospital was arrested this morning on federal mail fraud arising from his role in a construction kickback scheme that allegedly brought him more than $3 million in illegal payments.David Hamedany, 54, of Glendale, was arrested at his residence without incident by special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Hamedany was the director of construction for Huntington Memorial Hospital from 2006 until June 2010, during which time he had authority to enter into contracts and approve various invoices for the hospital. According to the indictment returned yesterday by a federal grand jury, Hamedany authorized payments of more than $3.8 million to construction companies that later made kickback payments of more than $3 million to entities controlled by Hamedany and/or a relative of Hamedany.
The indictment specifically alleges that three Northern California companies received most of the money involved in the fraudulent contracts, collectively receiving more than $3 million from the hospital. The payments were pursuant to invoices approved by Hamedany, even though the three companies performed no construction work for the hospital. These three companies allegedly paid kickbacks of more than $2.5 million to entities controlled by Hamedany and/or a relative of Hamedany.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
The indictment in this case charges Hamendany with 12 counts of mail fraud. Each count of mail fraud carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
Hamendany is expected to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court.
On January 11, FBI agents seized approximately $480,000 from a bank account into which Hamendany transferred approximately $585,000.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Huntington Memorial Hospital has fully cooperated in the investigation.
