BROOKLYN SCAM ARTIST DEFRAUDS MEDICARE FOR $50 MILLION NOW PLEADS GUILTY AND FACES 20 YEARS IN PRISON

Maksim Shelikhov cashed in on a Brooklyn clinic scam to live the high life, as in this photo used as evidence at his trial.

An admitted Medicare swindler was living like the Great Gatsby, spending millions on ultra-luxury cars, pricey wristwatches and a $100,000 diamond engagement ring — all courtesy of taxpayers.
Maksim “Max” Shelikhov, 29, pleaded guilty to health-care fraud and money-laundering conspiracies and faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced next week for his role in a corrupt Brooklyn medical clinic that defrauded Medicare out of $50 million.

The high-living hustler admitted he used millions of taxpayer dollars to amass an impressive collection of luxury automobiles and apparel that included a $280,000 Aston Martin, a $31,000 Audemars Piguet wristwatch and white textured Louis Vuitton loafers.
Shelikhov, who later became a government witness, was also generous with his Medicare money.

Attorney James Froccaro, who was defending a co-conspirator later acquitted in the plot, asked witness Shelikhov at a recent trial about a gift he bought for his then-fiance.
“Can you please tell the ladies and gentlemen of the jury how much the engagement ring cost our Medicare program?” Froccaro asked.
“Approximately $100,000,” Shelikhov replied.

The embezzled money poured in for five years, fueled by corrupt Medicare patients who were bribed to fake a wide range of health ailments.
Shelikhov used millions to underwrite his enviable lifestyle, including a coveted American Express Centurion Card, known as the “Black Card.”

His spoils — catalogued in official documents by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn who seek to have them forfeited as part of his sentence — included the Aston Martin for his 25th birthday.

Shelikhov’s gravy train was halted in 2010 when the FBI raided the Brooklyn clinic that was used as a front and prosecutors Sarah Hall and Shannon Jones secured convictions of nearly 20 employees.

He was arrested in 2011 after returning from his native Ukraine and pleaded guilty to health-care fraud and money-laundering conspiracies.

He then became a government informant and turned his own mother and father over to the feds. Authorities said Shelikhov’s mother was one of the ringleaders while his father allegedly played a peripheral role.

Maksim “Max” Shelikhov, 29, amassed an impressive collection of luxury goods with his ill-gotten money:

PERSONAL CARS
2010 Aston Martin $280,000 (later traded in for a 2011 Aston Martin at the same price)
Range Rover $115,000
Mercedes-Benz $80,000
BMW $90,000

RENTAL CARS
Including a Ferrari, a Lamborghini and a Bentley (pictured) at prices ranging from $600 to $1,200 a day in Miami

WRISTWATCHES
Richard Mille $59,000
Audemars Piguet $31,000
Jaeger LeCoultre $42,000
Hublot $19,000
Audemars Piguet $7,000
Jaeger LeCoultre $7,000
Bregue t$32,000

SHOES WORTH $30,000