Three Plead Guilty In S. FL Medicare Scheme
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — A Medicare fraud scheme that unraveled for three South Florida people is weeks away from wrapping up. The owners of the defunct health care company now face up to 15 years in prison.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami reports that 60-year-old Roberto Marrero, 49-year-old Sandra Fernandez Viera and 59-year-old Enrique Rodriguez pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to receive and pay health care kickbacks.
A hearing to determine how long the three will remain in prison is set for November 12.
Marrero and Fernandez Viera owned Trust Care Health Services Inc., a Miami home health care agency. Court documents show that the company billed Medicare for expensive physical therapy and services that were not medically necessary.
Rodriguez worked as a patient recruiter on behalf of Trust Care. Authorities say he offered and paid kickbacks and bribes to Medicare beneficiaries.
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