MIAMI – Federal prosecutors believe Arisleidys Fernandez Delmas to be the ringleader of a just about $37 million health care fraud scheme primarily based in South Florida. Now, the Miami woman is about to spend years at the back of bars and is at the hook for a huge superb.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a pass judgement on sentenced Fernandez Delmas, who pleaded to blame to the scheme, to 104 months in federal jail and ordered her to pay $8,671,377 in restitution as a part of a conspiracy to tear off Blue Cross Blue Shield for bodily remedy products and services sufferers by no means won.
Fernandez Delmas, 33, used to be considered one of 15 other people charged within the scheme, lots of whom have been similar. In addition to the jail time and fines, she’ll serve 3 years of supervised unencumber.
Prosecutors mentioned the gang paid kickbacks to beneficiaries of health insurance policy controlled through Blue Cross, providing the kickbacks to workers of JetBlue Airways, AT&T and TJX Companies to urge them “to serve as patients at various South Florida physical therapy clinics.”
The co-conspirators “also paid kickbacks and bribes to their co-defendants in return for referring additional BCBS beneficiaries to the physical therapy clinics so more fraudulent health care claims could be submitted,” a news unencumber states.
Officials mentioned in addition they “paid licensed massage therapists — several of whom were among the defendants convicted — to act as ‘nominee owners’ and operators of the physical therapy clinics. This allowed the leaders of the scheme to avoid various medical clinic licensing requirements and attempt to evade criminal prosecution.”
The following further defendants have pleaded to blame in reference to the case:
Pedro Hugo Prieto Garcia, of Miami, “pleaded guilty on July 27, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud.” He “was sentenced on Oct. 16, to 87 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $341,887.”
Leidys Delmas Garcia, of Miami, “pleaded guilty on July 24, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.” She “was sentenced on Oct. 16 to 68 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $1,599,933.33.”
Carlos Jose Martin Gomez, of Miami, “pleaded guilty on Oct. 12, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.” He’s scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 3.
Julio Acosta Perez, of Homestead, “pleaded guilty on June 14, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.” He “was sentenced on Sep. 6, to 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $822,524.21.”
Yohana Iriza, alias Yohana Lozada, of Miami, “pleaded guilty on April 4, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.” She “was sentenced on Aug. 4, to 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $367,207.64.”
Gabriel Lozada, of Fort Myers, “pleaded guilty on May 1, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.” He “was sentenced on July 31, to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $255,694.16.”
Emiliano Joaquin Garcia, of Lakeland, “pleaded guilty on April 18, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.” He “was sentenced on Oct. 24, to 16 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.”
Anthony Lozada, of Miami, “pleaded guilty on April 4, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.” Lozada “was sentenced on Aug. 4, to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $223,604.78.”
Daimara Borroto Garcia, of Hollywood, “pleaded guilty on May 4, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Borroto Garcia “was sentenced on Sep. 18, to 14 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.”
Elias Caises Maurino, of Miami, “pleaded guilty on April 25, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.” He “was sentenced on Aug. 9, to six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.”
Linda Taylor, of Miami, “pleaded guilty on Aug. 28, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.” Her sentencing listening to is scheduled for Nov. 17.
Three different defendants have made their preliminary appearances in federal courtroom: Gabriel Jaime Mejia and Yarlon Valdes Morejon, either one of Miami, and Ariel Gonzalez, of Naples.