Las Vegas woman charged in breast implant scam

Las Vegas woman charged in breast implant scam

Shanita Flax (photo: LVMPD)

Shanita Flax, 31 31, worked as a civilian contractor at the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Hospital located at Nellis Air Force Base from 2008 to 2010.

The Mike O’Callaghan Federal Hospital  is a joint venture between 99th Medical Group and VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS). and the patient base is comprised entirely of military personnel, veterans and their dependents.

Flax worked in the plastic surgery department and one of her duties was to discuss the pricing with females who were considering breast augmentation.

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Just as with most private insurance coverage, if the breast augmentation was for reconstructive surgery, an occupational injury or for another valid medical non-elective reason, the surgery would be covered by insurance.

If the procedure was purely cosmetic, then the procedure would not be covered and the patient would have to pay out of pocket.

The Las Vegas woman charged in breast implant scam would accept cash from the patient for the non-cosmetic procedure .

According to Fox 5 News, Flax would then file the paperwork through government channels so that the costs would be covered fraudulently by the patient’s insurance and the would pocket the cash that the patient paid.

Flax allegedly was able to obtain $9,200 from the victims and defrauded the United States Air Force out of an additional $10,200.

Col. Barry Cornish, the Commander of the 99th Air Base Wing had a strong statement against defrauding the government.  He said,

Nellis Air Force Base has traditionally had a very close working relationship with the Nevada Attorney General’s office. In this particular case, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment 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.

Flax was indicted on 18 counts of theft and one count of attempted theft.

If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the  Nellis Air Force Office of Special Investigations at 702-652-3433.