- Fugitives
- Nov 4, 2026
$1.2 BILLION Medicare Fugitive CAUGHT In Philippines Days After FBI Named Him Most Wanted
- by Statewide Files,
- in Fugitives
In 2019, Herbert Leon Kimble admitted his role in one of the largest Medicare fraud schemes ever charged, a back-brace scam that billed taxpayers more than $1.2 billion. His plea deal called for no prison time. In 2024 he skipped his sentencing three times and left the country. In June 2026, the FBI put him on its new Most Wanted Fraudsters list, and days later he was arrested in Pasig, in the Philippines, and sent back to the United States. Now he faces 15 to 20 years.
The TV ads and the free back braces seniors never needed Operation Brace Yourself and the $1.2 billion in Medicare bills The call centers and the “chasers,” according to prosecutors The 2019 deal that called for no prison time Three missed court dates and the escape to the Philippines The FBI Most Wanted Fraudsters list and the arrest in the Philippines The August 2026 guilty plea: 15 to 20 years and $199 million in restitution Herbert Leon Kimble has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
Presumption of innocence
Anyone accused in this report who has not been convicted is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Sources
U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Carolina; FBI; The Post and Courier; HomeCare; FITSNews; Philippine Star; CBS Chicago; Newsmax; WACH FOX 57; WLTX News 19; The National Desk; TV5 News Philippines; ABS-CBN News. News footage is used under fair use for news reporting and commentary.
