Corporate Compliance

Five more Miami area residents sentenced to prison for Medicare fraud

Compliance Monitor, November 26, 2008

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Compliance Monitor!

On November 24, Carlos Contreras and Ramon Pichardo were sentenced to 37 months and 48 months in prison respectively for defrauding Medicare in connection with a $6.8 million HIV infusion fraud scheme, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release. Both will also serve three years probation following their release, in addition to paying $4.2 million to the Medicare trust fund.
 
Like many of the recent HIV infusion cases, Contreras and Pichardo allegedly worked with Carlos, Luis, and Jose Benitez in order to launder the money received from false claims through sham companies owned by the Benitez brothers . 
 
Carlos Benitez and Luis Benitez have been indicted for their alleged involvement in a $119 million infusion scheme, but remain fugitives.
 
According to a related DOJ press release, Miami residents Dilcia Marinez, Juan Carlos Castaneda, and Luis Frias will serve prison time for their involvement in a similar scheme that also allegedly involves the Benitez brothers and co-conspirator Thomas McKenzie. McKenzie pleaded guilty to his involvement in a $110 million Medicare fraud scheme and will be sentenced December 11.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Compliance Monitor!

Comments

0 comments on “Five more Miami area residents sentenced to prison for Medicare fraud ”

 

Most Popular

Related Articles