Bath Beach Medicare Scammer Spent Millions On Posh Lifestyle

A confessed Medicare scammer who swindled taxpayers out of $50 million through his Bath Beach medical clinic lived a life of luxury, spending millions on pricey sports cars and jewelry.

Maksim “Max” Shelikhov, 29, pleaded guilty to ripping off the government-funded medical program now faces as many as 20 years in prison.

Shelikov and his mother, Irina, were charged in 2010 after a federal sweep that netted 94 individuals who bilked taxpayers out of tens of millions of dollars. The Shelikov clinic, Bay Medical Care at 8686 Bay Parkway, was among the top prizes, accounting for as much as $70 million in fraudulent activities, prosecutors said at the time, with more than 1,000 cash kickbacks paid to beneficiaries out of a designated “kickback room.”

In the kickback room, an old Soviet propaganda poster depicting a woman with her finger to her lips warning in Russian, “Don’t Gossip.”

Shelikov and his mother both attempted to flee. Shelikhov made it to his native Ukraine, but returned in 2011 and became a government witness. His mother was picked up in 2012 at John F. Kennedy Airport as she returned from the Ukraine after two years on the lam.

Before his bust, though, Max Shelikhov lived the high life. According to the New York Post:

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 Post also provides this list of items purchased with ill-gotten gains.

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

The feds followed the 2010 bust of Bay Medical with charges against five more individuals in 2011.