Federal authorities charge individuals in separate money laundering and fraud cases

Eldar Zarbavel, 45, of Pepper Pike, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to laundering approximately $3.4 million in illicit proceeds from a health care fraud scheme. The funds were laundered through regional banks on behalf of a transnational criminal organization based in Russia and other locations. This scheme, uncovered by Operation Gold Rush, targeted Medicare and private insurance companies. Zarbavel is the 16th individual convicted in this multi-billion-dollar fraud investigation.

In a separate case, Lakento Smith, 54, has been charged with conspiracy to launder drug money. Smith, whose previous prison sentence had been commuted, is accused of laundering $130,000 in drug proceeds from Houston, Texas, while allegedly facilitating cocaine shipments into Michigan. Smith, along with Javon Drevelle Brewer and Fletcher Lee Salazar, faces charges related to the distribution of controlled substances, including fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.