header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
December 26
1873 - Vasquez gang raids Kingston in (now) Kings County; ties up townspeople, makes off with $2,500 in cash and jewels [story]
Kingston


Fifteen chiropractors, including Robin Stacy Long of Newhall, have been charged in a $6 million insurance fraud and illegal kickback scheme involving automobile collision medical claims, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

The felony complaint in case BA477147 lists a total of 18 felony counts, including charges against all of the defendants of insurance fraud and participating in patient referral rebates when licensed in the healing arts or as a chiropractor.

Most of the defendants were arrested in a sweep yesterday and are expected to be arraigned on May 6 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The case was filed on April 26.

The alleged ringleader of the operation, Yury Chernega (dob 7/1/71) of Studio City, faces four counts each of the aforementioned charges as well as four counts of failure to file income tax return and one count of money laundering. The charges include allegations of taking more than $500,000 from about 30 insurance companies through fraud and embezzlement.

He faces a possible maximum sentence of 18 years and nine months in state prison if convicted as charged. Prosecutors are requesting that his bail be set at $325,000.

Chernega’s alleged co-conspirators, their recommended bail and possible maximum prison sentence are:

• Michael Milman (dob 3/26/66) of Beverly Hills, $200,000 bail, 10 years and six months in prison
• John Sherf (dob 8/28/75) of Sherman Oaks, $200,000 bail, 18 years and six months in prison
• Jae Ho Park (dob 4/26/68) of Coto de Caza, $225,000 bail, 11 years and six months in prison
• Danush Haghani (dob 1/9/73) of Yorba Linda, $225,000 bail, 11 years and six months in prison
• Kamron Nourgostar (dob 7/15/83) of Irvine, $200,000 bail, 10 years and six months in prison
• David Wayne Ginoza (dob 5/15/64) of Torrance, $200,000 bail, 10 years and six months in prison
• Alan P. Grubstein (dob 2/27/50) of Rancho Cucamonga, $225,000 bail, 11 years and six months in prison
• Kamiar Riahi (dob 8/8/74) of Woodland Hills, $200,000 bail, 10 years and six months in prison
• Sam Amirmoazzami (dob 12/11/73) of Encino, $225,000 bail, 11 years and six months in prison
• Robin Stacy Long (dob 5/19/68) of Newhall, $200,000 bail, 10 years and six months in prison
• Ramin Lavi (dob 7/21/63) of Chatsworth, $225,000 bail, 11 years and six months in prison
• Gustavo Adolfo Nino (dob 3/17/64) of Pasadena, $200,000 bail, 10 years and six months in prison
• Nahid Haji Acs (dob 2/23/57) of Rancho Cucamonga, $200,000 bail, 10 years and six months in prison
• Victoria Davidovsky Lucas (dob 9/1/68) of Pacific Palisades, $200,000 bail, 10 years and six months in prison

From 2015 through 2018, Chernega allegedly offered to refer new patients to other chiropractors in return for an illegal referral fee, through which he collected about $6 million, prosecutors said. The patients allegedly had been involved in automobile collisions.

The defendants also are accused of filing false claims for medical services they never provided. Additionally, Chernega allegedly didn’t report the income from the illegal kickbacks on his taxes, prosecutors said.

Deputy District Attorneys Heba Matta and LaChandra Wilkerson of the Auto Insurance Fraud Division are prosecuting the case.

The case remains under investigation by the District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the California Department of Insurance, the California Franchise Tax Board, the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Dec 25, 2025
SCV Sheriff’s Station Issues Traffic Alert on Soledad Canyon Road
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station has issued the following traffic alerts: Due to heavy rains, the westbound right lane is closed on Soledad Canyon Road between Camp Plenty Road and Langside Avenue.
Thursday, Dec 25, 2025
Fostering Youth Independence Hosts Holiday PJ Party
Fostering Youth Independence’s recent Charlie Brown Holiday party was attended by dozens of local foster youth and their volunteer Allies.
Thursday, Dec 25, 2025
NWS Issues Flood Watch for SCV Through Friday
The National Weather Service as issued the following alerts for the Santa Clarita Valley. Flood Watch until Dec. 26, 4 p.m. PST, High Wind Warning until Dec. 25, 3 p.m. PST.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1873 - Vasquez gang raids Kingston in (now) Kings County; ties up townspeople, makes off with $2,500 in cash and jewels [story]
Kingston
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station has issued the following traffic alerts: Due to heavy rains, the westbound right lane is closed on Soledad Canyon Road between Camp Plenty Road and Langside Avenue.
SCV Sheriff’s Station Issues Traffic Alert on Soledad Canyon Road
Fostering Youth Independence’s recent Charlie Brown Holiday party was attended by dozens of local foster youth and their volunteer Allies.
Fostering Youth Independence Hosts Holiday PJ Party
The National Weather Service as issued the following alerts for the Santa Clarita Valley. Flood Watch until Dec. 26, 4 p.m. PST, High Wind Warning until Dec. 25, 3 p.m. PST.
NWS Issues Flood Watch for SCV Through Friday
1852 - Acton gold mine owner & California Gov. Henry Tifft Gage born in New York [story]
Henry Gage
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is urging residents to remain vigilant as a powerful storm system moves through Los Angeles County, bringing periods of heavy rain and rapidly changing conditions.
Barger Urges Residents to Stay Alert, Follow Evacuation Orders
Thirteen suspects were arrested, and more than $800,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered following a coordinated, multi-agency operation targeting an organized retail theft network operating across Northern California.
CHP Makes Multiple Arrests in Organized Retail Theft Investigation
The California State Transportation Agency today announced a new joint effort by two of its departments, the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol, to curb excessive speeding and prevent deadly crashes.
Pilot Program to Crack Down on Extreme Speeding
The city of Santa Clarita invites the community to heat up the holiday season at the Holiday Spice Salsa Edition on Saturday, Dec. 27, at the Canyon Country Community Center, located at 18410 Sierra Highway Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Dec. 27: Holiday Spice Salsa Edition at Canyon Country Community Center
1965 - Signal newspaper owner Scott Newhall shows up for a duel (of words) with rival Canyon Country newspaper publisher Art Evans, who no-shows and folds his paper soon after [story]
headline
As winter storms enter Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control urges pet owners to take necessary precautions in light of the significant storms expected to last for five days.
DACC Urges Pet Owners to Prioritize Safety Ahead of Storm
Brayden Miner scored 31 points and Rylan Starr had 24 as The Master's University men's basketball team crushed Bethesda University 145-59 The MacArthur Center.
Season’s Best Offensive Performance Leads TMU Over Bethesda
From surprise Santa arrivals to stacks of gifts waiting for young hands, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley delivered holiday cheer on a large scale this season, reaching hundreds of children and teens throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, including Clubhouses in Canyon Country, Newhall, Val Verde and Castaic.
Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley Spreads Holiday Cheer
Princess Cruises, headquartered in Santa Clarita, embraced a cherished maritime tradition in a uniquely festive way, celebrating a symbolic christening of its Rose Parade float with a ceremonial break of a bottle of Pantalones Organic Tequila.
Princess Cruises Christens Star Princess Tournament of Roses Float
The Golden Globes have ushered in awards season with the announcement of the 2026 nominees across 28 categories. Among this year’s contenders is Pixar’s "Elio," which earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Animated.
CalArtian-Directed ‘Elio’ Nominated for 2026 Golden Globe
The National Weather Service has issued a "Hazardous Weather" warning for the Santa Clarita Valley and Southern California.
NWS Issues Flood, High Wind Warnings for SCV, Southland
Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public’s help locating at-Risk missing person Drew Barrick Russell.
LASD Asks for Help Locating Missing Santa Clarita Man
1997 - Five bodies found during grading of Northlake development in Castaic; determined to be Jenkins graveyard [story]
reburial
Old Town Newhall Public Library will host "Spice Travels," Friday, Jan. 2, 9:15-9:30 a.m. at 24500 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
Jan. 2: Explore Global Cuisine with ‘Spice Travels ‘ at Newhall Library
The California Highway Patrol encourages the public to “brake” the habit of speeding this holiday season. The CHP will launch a Holiday Enforcement Period starting at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25.
Dec. 24-25: CHP Launches Holiday Enforcement Period
Volunteers are needed to help clear brush and restore the tread from the existing lower Gates and Twister trails 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 27.
Dec. 27: Volunteers Needed for SCV Trail Users Workday
Join InfluenceHER's "Redefining Happiness, a Candid Conversation for the Modern Woman," 4-6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16 at the Venue Valencia.
Jan. 16: InfluenceHER- Redefining Happiness, A Candid Conversation for the Modern Woman
The Santa Clarita Public Library system has announced that all library branches will close at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, and remain closed on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25, in observance of Christmas.
Santa Clarita Public Library Holiday Hours
SCVNews.com