Thirty-Three South Florida Residents Charged as Part of Nationwide Coordinated Takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force Operations
91 Individuals Charged Nationally for Submitting Approximately $430 Million in Fraudulent Billing; South Florida Responsible for More Than $202 Million in False Billings

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; Christopher B. Dennis, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); and Tony Gomez, Acting Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division, announced that 33 South Florida residents were charged for their alleged participation in various schemes to defraud Medicare out of more than $202 million. The charges in South Florida are part of a nationwide takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in seven cities that resulted in charges against 91 individuals, including doctors, nurses, and other licensed professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $429.2 million in false billing.

In this national operation, dozens of charged individuals were arrested or surrendered in the last 24 hours as indictments were unsealed across the country. Together, those indictments charge more than $230 million in home health care fraud; more than $100 million in community mental health care fraud; and more than $49 million in ambulance transportation fraud.

The joint Department of Justice and HHS Medicare Fraud Strike Force is a multi-agency team of federal, state, and local investigators and prosecutors designed to combat Medicare fraud through the use of Medicare data analysis techniques. More than 500 law enforcement agents from the FBI, HHS-OIG, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and other state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the national takedown.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “Holding accountable those who abuse Medicare for personal profit is one of my top priorities. Those individuals who steal from Medicare are not just stealing from the government. Instead, they are stealing from the most vulnerable among us—the sick, the elderly, and the poor. We will not relent in our efforts to prosecute these fraudsters, bring them to justice, and seize their illegal income and assets for ultimate return to the Medicare program.”

“Over one third of those charged today in this multi-city health care fraud takedown were from the Miami area, accounting for more than $202 million in fraud,” said Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Miami Division. “The FBI and its partners devote vast resources to investigate, catch, and prosecute those committing health care fraud. To attack the problem from both ends, tougher regulation and oversight are key to reducing the amount of fraud from occurring in the first place.”

“Here in South Florida, we must remain vigilant to address healthcare fraud in its many evolving forms,” said Christopher B. Dennis, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General Miami region. “When hospitals, home health agencies, pharmacies, or other health care providers are suspected of breaking the law, they should expect swift justice.”

Tony Gomez, Acting Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated, “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the law enforcement community to ensure that the U.S. mail is not a conduit for this kind of fraudulent activity.”

The South Florida defendants are accused of various health care fraud-related crimes, including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, violations of the anti-kickback statutes, and money laundering. The charges are based on a variety of alleged fraud schemes involving various medical treatments and services such as home health care, mental health services, and physical and occupational therapy. According to court documents, the defendants allegedly participated in schemes to submit claims to Medicare for treatments that were medically unnecessary and oftentimes never provided. In many cases, court documents allege that patient recruiters, Medicare beneficiaries, and other co-conspirators were paid cash kickbacks in return for supplying beneficiary information to providers, so that the providers could submit fraudulent billing to Medicare for services that were medically unnecessary or never provided.

Specifically, the South Florida cases announced as part of the nationwide Medicare Fraud Strike Force takedown include:

U.S. v. Karen Kallen-Zury, Daisy Miller, Christian Coloma, Michele Petrie, and Gloria Himmons, Case No. 12-20757-CR-Martinez

In this case, five defendants are charged with conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks and substantive counts of paying and receiving kickbacks in connection with a federal health care program. According to the indictment, the defendants participated in a scheme involving Hollywood Pavilion (HP), a state-licensed psychiatric hospital that provides, among other things, inpatient psychiatric care and outpatient psychiatric care. Defendants Karen Kallen-Zury, Daisy Miller, and Michele Petrie are charged for devising and participating in a scheme to pay illegal bribes and kickbacks to patient brokers and causing claims to be submitted for Medicare beneficiaries who were procured through bribes and kickbacks. Karen Kallen-Zury, the CEO and registered agent of HP, attempted to conceal the payment of bribes and kickbacks by creating false documents to make it appear as if legitimate services were being rendered. From at least 2003 through at least August 2012, HP billed Medicare more than $50 million for services that were never rendered, for patients that did not qualify for the services being billed, and for claims that were procured through bribes and kickbacks. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years for each count of the wire fraud charges, 10 years for each count of health care fraud, and five years for each count of substantive kickback charges.

A companion civil case was also filed to restrain the assets of Kallen-Zury during the pendency of the criminal prosecution. The asset freeze is intended to preserve the defendant’s assets during the course of the prosecution in order to maximize the amount of money returned to the Medicare Program. The criminal case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Robert Zink of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The civil action is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Lavine and Trial Attorney Edward Crooke of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch.

U.S. v. Rogelio Rodriguez and Raymond Aday, Case No. 12-20750-CR-Moreno

The indictment charges two defendants with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and substantive kickback charges. Defendant Rogelio Rodriguez was the owner and operator of Caring Nurse Home Health Corp., which paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters and beneficiaries to obtain Medicare beneficiaries. He then submitted false claims to Medicare, primarily for skilled nursing for patients who purportedly needed insulin injections twice a day. Defendant Raymond Aday was a patient recruiter for Caring Nurse Home Health Corp. and was the owner and operator of Good Quality Home Health Inc., which also paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters and beneficiaries and then submitted false claims to Medicare. Defendant Rogelio Rodriguez was also an owner of Good Quality Home Health Inc. Through their scheme, the defendants caused the submission of $53 million in fraudulent billings to Medicare for skilled nursing diabetic care and physical therapy. As a result of these false claims, Medicare paid the companies $34 million. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison for each kickback count. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Joseph Beemsterboer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

U.S. v. Sila Luis, Elsa Ruiz, and Myriam Acevedo, Case No. 12-20751-CR-Cooke

The indictment charges three defendants with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive illegal health care kickbacks, and substantive kickback charges. Defendant Sila Luis was the owner and operator of LTC Professional Consultants Inc., which paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters and beneficiaries to obtain Medicare beneficiaries and then submitted false claims to Medicare, primarily for skilled nursing for patients who purportedly needed insulin injections twice a day. Defendant Elsa Ruiz was the owner and operator of Professional Home Care Solutions Inc., which also paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters and beneficiaries and then submitted false claims to Medicare. Defendant Elsa Ruiz was also an administrator at LTC Professional Consultants Inc.. In that capacity, Ruiz negotiated kickback payments and rates with patient recruiters. Defendant Myriam Acevedo was an office administrator at LTC and Professional Home Care and negotiated kickback rates and distributed kickback payments to patient recruiters on behalf of both companies. Through their scheme, the defendants caused the submission of $74 million in fraudulent billings to Medicare for skilled nursing diabetic care and physical therapy. As a result of these false claims, Medicare paid the companies $50 million. If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison for each count of health care fraud and five years in prison for each count of the kickback charges.

A companion civil case was also filed to restrain the assets of the defendants during the pendency of the criminal prosecution. The asset freeze is intended to preserve the defendants’ assets during the course of the prosecution in order to maximize the amount of money returned to the Medicare Program. The criminal case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Joseph Beemsterboer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The civil action is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Torres.

U.S. Vladimir Jimenez and Manuel Lozano, Case No. 12-20700-CR-Zloch

Defendants Vladimir Jimenez and Manuel Lozano are charged with conspiracy to pay and receive illegal healthcare kickbacks. Both defendants were patient recruiters for Serendipity Home Health and supplied patients to Serendipity Home Health in exchange for kickbacks and bribes. Serendipity Home Health fraudulently billed the Medicare program for approximately $20 million for home health services that were not provided and/or not medically necessary. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison for each count of the kickback charges. This case is being prosecuted by Department of Justice Trial Attorney Joseph Beemsterboer.

U.S. v. Orlando J. Torres, Case No. 12-20754-CR-Scola

Defendant Orlando J. Torres is charged with several substantive counts of health care fraud. According to the indictment, Torres became the owner of M.B.M. Medical Services Inc. (MBM), which did business in Miami-Dade County providing physical and occupational therapy and services to Medicare beneficiaries. From August 8, 2008 through July 17, 2009, allegedly Torres caused MBM to submit approximately $4,933,757 in claims to Medicare for various health care services that were not medically necessary and/or had not been provided to Medicare beneficiaries. As a result of these false claims, Medicare paid MBM approximately $3,301,416. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in prison for the health care fraud count. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Clark.

U.S. v. Orlando J. Torres, Case No. 12-20755-CR-Zloch

Defendant Orlando J. Torres is charged with several substantive counts of health care fraud. According to the indictment, Torres became the owner of I&L Therapy Center Corp., a Florida corporation that purportedly did business in Miami-Dade County providing physical and occupational therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries. From March 26, 2009 through June 12, 2009, Torres caused I&L Therapy to submit approximately $2,767,211 in Medicare claims that falsely represented that various health care benefits and services were medically necessary and had been provided to Medicare beneficiaries. As a result of these false claims, Medicare paid I&L Therapy Center Corp. approximately $1,373,489. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of the health care fraud charges. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Clark.

U.S. v. Remberto Lago Valdes, Case No. 12-20678-CR-Cooke

The indictment charges defendant Remberto Lago Valdes with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and several counts of substantive health care fraud. According to the indictment, Lago Valdes arranged to have an individual become nominal owner of Venus Medical Supply Inc., a Florida corporation that purportedly did business in Miami-Dade County providing durable medical equipment to Medicare beneficiaries. From November 5, 2008 through December 11, 2008, Venus Medical submitted approximately $1,716,116 in Medicare claims that falsely represented that various health care benefits services were medically necessary and had been provided to Medicare beneficiaries. As a result of these false claims, Medicare paid Venus Medical approximately $247,844. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in for each count of the health care fraud charges. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Clark.

U.S. v. Alina Alvarez, Case No. 12-20675-CR-Moreno

The indictment charges Alina Alvarez with substantive counts of health care fraud and payment of kickbacks in connection with a federal health care program. Alvarez was the owner and operator of Sterling Pharmacy, which paid kickbacks to a doctor to obtain fraudulent prescriptions that were used to for bill Medicare. No medications were actually dispensed and Sterling Pharmacy billed Medicare $271,563 for false prescriptions. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of the health care fraud charges and five years for each count of the kickback charges. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gonsoulin.

U.S. v. Angel Calderin, Case No. 12-20753-CR-Dimitrouleas

This indictment charges Angel Calderin with health care fraud. According to the indictment, Calderin was the owner of Pharmacy Solution Corp., which paid a doctor to obtain fraudulent prescriptions for medications that were not actually dispensed to Medicare beneficiaries. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of the health care fraud charges. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gonsoulin.

U.S. v. Yanella Falcon and Pedro Guzman, Case No. 12-20677-CR-Middlebrooks

The indictment charges two defendants with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and payment of kickbacks in connection with a federal health care program. The defendants were the owners and operators of P&Y Pharmacy, which paid doctors in return for prescriptions which were used to submit false claims to Medicare. As a result of those claims, Medicare paid P&Y Pharmacy $412,681. If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison for each count of the health care fraud charges and up to five years for each count of the kickback charges. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gonsoulin.

U.S. v. Jose Manuel Curiel and Liset Curiel Fages, Case No. 12-20676-CR-King

The indictment charges two defendants with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and the payment of kickbacks in connection with a federal health care program. The defendants were the owners and operators of Y&Y Pharmacy, which paid doctors in return for prescriptions that were used to submit false claims to Medicare. If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison for each count of the health care fraud charges and up to five years for each count of the kickback charges. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gonsoulin.

U.S. v. Alfredo Gonzalez, Case No. 12-20682-CR-Williams

The indictment charges defendant Alfredo Gonzalez with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and substantive health care fraud. Gonzalez posed as a doctor and provided prescriptions to the owners of 24 Hour Community Pharmacy for a fee. 24 Hour Community Pharmacy submitted fraudulent billing that caused Medicare to pay more than $1.1 million to 24 Hour Community Pharmacy. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of the health care fraud charges. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Anissa Andrews.

U.S. v. Guillermo Blanco, Case No. 12-20681-CR-Scola

The indictment charges defendant Guillermo Blanco with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and substantive health care fraud. Blanco was one of the owners of 24 Hour Community Pharmacy. As part of the scheme, Blanco paid kickbacks to Medicare beneficiaries. 24 Hour Community Pharmacy submitted fraudulent billing that caused Medicare to pay more than $1.1 million to 24 Hour Community Pharmacy. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of the health care fraud charges. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Anissa Andrews.

U.S. v. Yanier Betancourt, Case No. 12-20671-CR-Lenard

The indictment charges defendant Yanier Betancourt with the payment of health care kickbacks in connection with a federal health care program. The indictment alleges that Betancourt paid kickbacks to a patient recruiter who referred Medicare beneficiaries to Betancourt’s home health agency, Musomed Health Care Corp., to receive home health services. If convicted, the defendant faces up to five years in prison for each count of the kickback charges. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Morales.

U.S. v. Maria Eugenia Rueda, Jorge Sell, Arminda Reyes, Rene Suarez-Basanta, Maria Esther Valdez, Manuela Edelia Rodriguez, Francisco A. Rizo, Cristobal Jorge Garcia, and Marta Gonzalez, Case No. 12-20749-CR-Ungaro

The indictment charges nine people with conspiring to pay and receive health care kickbacks. The indictment alleges that health care kickbacks were paid to patient recruiters who referred Medicare beneficiaries to Safe Home Health Care Agency Inc. Maria Eugenia Rueda, the president of Safe Home Health Care, and Jorge Sell, the office manager of the agency and a registered nurse, are charged with paying kickbacks to the other charged defendants. Additionally, various Medicare beneficiaries are charged for soliciting and receiving health care kickbacks from Safe Home Health Care. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison for each count of the kickback charges. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Morales.

The Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations are part of the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), a joint initiative announced in May 2009 between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since their inception in March 2007, strike force operations in nine locations have charged more than 1,480 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $ 4.8 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.