Miami medicare fraud defendants sentenced to jail
November 16, 2009
It appears that there is no end in sight to the number of
Miami Medicare fraud cases being prosecuted by the federal government. Medicare fraud has cost the federal government billions of dollars. The government is spending countless manpower and funds to put an end to the longstanding problem. Anyone being investigated or charged for Medicare fraud should immediately seek the assistance of a
Miami criminal lawyer to defend their case. Severe penalties attach to individuals charged in these types of cases from lengthy prison sentences and large fines.
A judge in Miami federal court recently sentenced three defendants for their involvement in a South Florida Medicare scheme to defraud. Three defendants admitted to opening clinics in the South Florida area to treat HIV patients. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida accused the men of billing Medicare in excess of $40 million dollars for providing infusion treatments to AIDS patients. The defendants collected approximately $12 million for treatments that were never provided to patients. The men were also charged with paying kickbacks to individuals to appear at their clinics.
Manuel Camacho entered a guilty plea to the charge of
Miami criminal lawyer and was sentenced to 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release with significant fines. Camacho was the clinic owner on paper and used the Medicare fraud proceeds to purchase expensive automobiles and boats. Camacho's sentence was relatively light in comparison to his co-defendants. Although he was in charge of the operation on paper, his co-defendants were the masterminds behind the Miami Medicare fraud scheme.
Roberto Rodriguez entered a guilty plea into the offense of
wire fraud and was sentenced to 8 ½ years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The judge ordered Rodriguez to pay restitution in the amount of $9.6 million dollars. The third co-defendant, Alejandro Gonzalez, entered a guilty plea to one count of mail fraud and was sentenced to 8 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $11.9 million in restitution.
As Miami criminal attorneys, we always recommend to immediately contact a criminal defense firm with experience in Medicare fraud matters. Early representation can result in limiting the number of charges being filed and can lead to reduced sentences. The penalties that attach to Medicare fraud cases are directly proportionate to the amount of money fraudulently received from the federal healthcare program. Always remember to speak with a Miami Medicare fraud lawyer prior to speaking with federal law enforcement officials.
Medicare Fraud Nets Jail Time, $21 Million in Fines, South Florida Business Journal, November 16, 2009.
