Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: California’s Fraud “Epicenter” & Guthrie Search Continues | 2.4.26
Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howell
Guests/Reporters: Dr. Mehmet Oz, Amanda Giacomo, Lyndon Blake, Luke Rosiak, Joshua Sherrard

Overview

This episode examines two major stories gripping the nation:

1. Massive Medicare and Medicaid fraud in California, particularly Los Angeles County, sparking a confrontation between the Trump administration and Governor Gavin Newsom.
2. The ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of TV host Savannah Guthrie, following her disappearance amid troubling circumstances in Tucson, Arizona. Additionally, an investigative segment exposes federal aid corruption through the African Development Foundation, ending with a guilty plea from a key official.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Massive Health Care Fraud in California

(Segment starts around 02:09)

• Scope of the Fraud

  • Billions in alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud in California, focusing on hospice and home care services.
  • Fraudsters sign up vulnerable people, especially seniors, for unnecessary (or entirely unprovided) services, billing the government.
  • Los Angeles County particularly targeted; some schemes are tied to organized crime (including the Russian Armenian mafia).

• Notable Quotes

  • Dr. Mehmet Oz [03:35]:
    "We have about 1 in $10 spent in America in home health care just in Los Angeles... There was an increase, about a seven-fold increase in the available hospice in California. This doesn’t make any sense. You don’t have seven times more people dying."
  • Dr. Mehmet Oz, on human impact [04:36]:
    "[A man] was approached by a young woman who said, hey listen, I got some things I can bring you to help you out if you just sign this document... What the document said was that you’re giving up all your health care to go into hospice... Lo and behold, he has a health problem. He doesn’t have access to care because he gave up his insurance and he died. He died."

• Political Fallout

  • Dr. Oz (now CMS Administrator) issued California a “corrective action plan” with a 21-day deadline.
  • Governor Newsom replied with a civil rights complaint, accusing Oz of racially charged allegations for singling out the Armenian community.

• Memorable Moment

  • Dr. Mehmet Oz [06:09]:
    "I wrote a letter and I visited because I care. I want him to care as much as I do about the most vulnerable people in California. I do think political patronage might be part of this."

• Actions Taken

  • Oz refers cases to federal attorneys and urges accountability for the massive taxpayer loss and harm to seniors.

2. The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie

(Segment starts 07:39)

• Case Details

  • Nancy, 84, disappears from Tucson, Arizona home.
  • Friends noticed her absence at church and alerted family.
  • Authorities say time is critical due to health concerns (medication needed within 24 hours).

• Crime Scene & Investigation

  • Authorities remain tight-lipped about key details to avoid compromising leads.
  • Reports (from LA Times, CBS) mention blood and signs of forced entry, but the sheriff refuses to confirm specifics.
  • Joshua Sherrard, former police captain [10:32]:
    "To clear a crime scene in the matter of, you know, 24 hours or less tells me that there’s a little bit more targeted search than they’re letting on. Either that or there just is nothing to process there, which is kind of hard to believe at this point."

• Emerging Leads

  • A possible ransom note demanding millions in bitcoin received by TMZ; authorities are investigating its validity.
  • Awaiting further press briefings unless a major break occurs.

• Family’s Response

  • Savannah Guthrie posts a moving plea [11:09]:
    “We believe in prayer. We believe in voices being raised in unison and love and hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him... bring her mom home.”

3. Federal Aid Corruption: African Development Foundation

(Segment starts 12:26)

• Expose Summary

  • The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), a little-known federal agency, is caught up in a bribery and kickback scandal.
  • Reporter Luke Rosiak’s investigation found that foreign aid funds were being funneled back to U.S. insiders and friends.
  • CFO Matthew Zehu admits to taking bribes and lying to law enforcement; pleads guilty.

• Example of Fraud

  • No-bid contracts (e.g., Ganium Limited, owned by Zehu’s friend) issued during COVID for unnecessary services.
  • Over $100,000 paid for work never performed, with $12,000 in kickbacks.

• Notable Quotes

  • Luke Rosiak [15:06]:
    "Because they didn't do like $800,000 worth of work."
  • Dr. Mehmet Oz quoting Sen. Mike Lee [16:33]:
    "Republicans acting alone could have, would have and should have defunded this today. But instead... All Democrats voted to table it. And they were joined by just enough Republicans..."

• Political Aftermath

  • Sen. Mike Lee’s amendment to abolish the agency fails in the Senate (58–42).
  • Eleven Republicans joined Democrats to save the agency; none provided statements despite inquiries.

Timestamps & Notable Moments

| Timestamp | Segment | Key Moment/Quote | |------------|----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 02:09 | Medicare Fraud in California | Dr. Oz describes fraud magnitude | | 03:35 | LA County as Fraud Epicenter | “Chill you... 1 in $10 spent in America in home health care just in Los Angeles.” – Dr. Oz | | 04:36 | Human cost of fraud | Patient lost insurance, died due to scam | | 06:09 | Newsom’s pushback | Dr. Oz’s response to civil rights complaint | | 07:39 | Guthrie disappearance | Case overview by Lyndon Blake | | 10:32 | Crime scene cleared quickly, expert opinion | “To clear a crime scene... in 24 hours or less tells me...” – Joshua Sherrard | | 11:09 | Savannah Guthrie’s Instagram plea | Family’s emotional message to public | | 12:26 | U.S. African Development Foundation fraud | Bickley, Rosiak, and Dr. Oz discuss indictment | | 15:06 | Exposing “work” not performed | “They didn’t do like $800,000 worth of work.” – Luke Rosiak | | 16:33 | Senate amendment fails | Sen. Mike Lee on failed defunding |

Conclusion

This Morning Wire episode underscores two urgent issues:

• California’s status as a flashpoint for health care fraud, with billions lost and vulnerable populations directly harmed, and the ensuing political battle between state and federal authorities.
• The mysterious, troubling disappearance of Nancy Guthrie and the efforts underway to find her. It closes by exposing a case of federal aid corruption that resulted in rare, swift legal and political action, though reform efforts stall in the Senate.

The episode mixes hard investigation, human interest, and political accountability, reflecting Morning Wire’s “news you need to know” ethos with clarity, depth, and a call for responsive action.

For listeners:
This episode provides in-depth updates on national stories both financial and human, calling attention to fraud, government misconduct, and instances where justice is still being sought.