Feds Bust Miami-Based Medi-Fraud

Check cashing stores turn $100 million in claims into quick cash

Federal officials say they have busted a Miami-based Medicare fraud ring that spanned five states and billed the nation's health care system for about $100 million.

Acting Miami U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sloman said Tuesday eight defendants billed Medicare and Medicare Advantage for bogus HIV infusion drugs that patients didn't need using 29 storefronts in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana. He said they also employed check cashing stores to turn the Medicare checks into quick cash. He said they netted about $30 million.

Authorities are looking for that money.

The suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit Medicare fraud, money laundering and aggravated identify theft. Two of the defendants remain at large and may be in Cuba.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us