Miami Beach Businessman Convicted of Largest Medicare Fraud Scheme in History
Medicare fraud is a crime against the federal government. As such, it is prosecuted in federal court and carries the enhanced penalties of a federal crime. Even seemingly minor instances of “upcoding,” or adding a few extra services or equipment, can result in an investigation by the FBI and other federal agencies. Of course, many Medicare fraud schemes are not minor and result in millions of dollars of lost taxpayer funds.
Whatever the circumstances of a Medicare investigation, it is vital to have a skilled criminal defense attorney protecting your constitutional rights. The experienced criminal attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney has represented defendants in various white collars crimes throughout the courts of Florida. He can help protect you from wrongful convictions based upon illegally obtained evidence or confessions. He can identify the best legal strategy for a timely and fair resolution to your case. Call (305) 615-1285 for a free phone consultation as soon as possible.
The Largest Medicare Fraud Scheme Ever Prosecuted by the Department of Justice
Recently, a businessman from Miami Beach had the dubious distinction of being arrested in connection with the largest Medicare fraud case ever investigated by the Department of Justice. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that a Florida jury convicted Philip Esformes of twenty criminal charges related to Medicare fraud. Prosecutors estimated the total value of fraud at one billion dollars. Esformes’ attorney claims that this number is inflated. What is known is that Esformes owned a network of nursing homes and assisted living homes across South Florida. The jury found him guilty of paying bribes and kickbacks to doctors and healthcare administrators to refer patients to his facilities, as well as bribing a Florida health regulator to warn him when inspections would occur and when patients filed complaints. He was also convicted of obstruction of justice for his role in helping a co-conspirator plot to flee the country instead of facing charges. However, prosecutors were unable to prove the most serious charge against him, and the jury found Esformes not guilty of conspiracy to commit Medicare fraud.
This case shows how complicated fraud charges can be. It is rare for a fraud case to be “black and white,” or to end solely in favor of either side, prosecution or defense. In Esformes’ case, he avoided conviction on the most serious offense, and this challenged the very foundation of the prosecutors’ case against him. But he was still convicted of many other offenses and faces up to 250 years in prison as a result. Furthermore, Esformes has been in jail for nearly three years waiting for the conclusion of his case. He was arrested in 2016 and has not had the opportunity to bail out since then.
Facing Insurance Fraud Charges? Call Us Today to Speak with a Miami Criminal Defense Attorney
The experienced criminal defense attorney at Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney has represented defendants facing fraud charges in the state and federal courts throughout Florida. They can help protect your constitutional rights by state and federal authorities from criminal, administrative, or other government agencies. Statements made to any government official can be used against you in the prosecution of fraud charges. Call (305) 615-1285 for a free phone consultation as soon as possible. You can also send us an email through our online contact form.
Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney handles a variety of criminal law cases, so call now if you have any questions.
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