Wired Wednesday: Untangling Community Health's Kickback Scheme

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By Jahz Tello, Videographer

Published 3 weeks ago on

June 12, 2025

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GV Wire’s Edward Smith talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about a kickback scheme to doctors that Community Health System agreed to settle with the Department of Justice last month for $31.5 million.

Fresno County — unaware that CHS was rewarding doctors for their referrals with expensive liquor, cigars, and a state-of-the-art lounge — granted the local health care network $2.7 million to buy new medical equipment.

County supervisors reviewed how that grant was spent this week, and the hospital stated that the funds went entirely to purchasing a CT scanner and intensive care unit beds.

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Jahz Tello,

Videographer

Jahz joined GV Wire in early 2018 as a Video Production Assistant and is now a Videographer. He came to us with experience in video editing and production, most recently with Fresno State Athletics. Jahz received a Bachelor’s Degree in Multimedia from Fresno State in 2014. He has a passion for video, music and film. In his spare time, Jahz likes to cook, catch up on current events, listen to music and exercise. You can contact him at 559-492-4016 or Send an Email .