California Governor Files Civil Rights Complaint Against Dr. Oz Over Allegations Targeting Armenian Community
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a civil rights complaint against Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz following a video of Oz's visit to Los Angeles. Newsom's office accused Oz of making baseless and racially charged allegations in the video, which could deter participation in hospice and home care programs within the Armenian community. The video showed Oz discussing fraud allegations in Los Angeles, specifically targeting a Russian-Armenian syndicate. Newsom's office claimed that Oz's statements had already negatively impacted an Armenian bakery featured in the video. Oz alleged that a significant amount of hospice and home care fraud, including involvement from the "Russian Armenian mafia," had occurred in Los Angeles, pointing to specific businesses in the area. Newsom publicly disputed Oz's claims on social media, highlighting California's actions against hospice fraud. The governor's office is taking the allegations seriously due to the historic tensions between Armenia and Turkey, where Oz's parents immigrated from. Oz and the CMS have not responded to requests for comment on the matter.