Wednesday, November 19, 2008

3 More Sentenced In Florida HIV-Infusion Medicare Fraud

Dilcia Marinez, Juan Carlos Castaneda and Luis Frias, all of Miami, Florida, were sentenced to prison yesterday for their role in defrauding the Medicare program in reimbursements of some $14 million for fraudulent HIV infusions and illegally laundering the funds. Marinez, who pleaded guilty on Sept. 15, 2008, to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, was sentenced to 57 months in prison, three years of probation and payment of a $24,000 fine. Marinez was also ordered to pay $43,000 in forfeiture. Castaneda, who pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy on Aug. 27, 2008, was sentenced to 87 months in prison, three years of probation and payment of a $100 special assessment. Frias, who on Sept. 23, 2008, also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder money, was sentenced to 27 months in prison, three years of probation and payment of a $100 special assessment. The fraud occurred between 2003 and 2004 and involved G&S Medical Center Inc., a Miami-based health care center for which Marinez acted as the president and director. According to the complaint, G&S, at Marinez direction, falsely sent reimbursement claims to Medicare for HIV infusion that never occurred. Castandea and Lrias admitted in to aiding Marinez in laundering the ill-gotten gains.

Read our earlier posts on related cases here and here.

Read the FBI release here.

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