Investigators Tout Fraud Convictions In California, Florida And New York
Published: 2010-07-17 14:43:34By: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation | April 14, 2010
Authorities are crediting their Medicare and Medicaid fraud initiatives for
convictions and guilty pleas in California, Florida and New York.
The Associated Press/San Jose Mercury News: A Los
Angeles man pleaded guilty to Medicare fraud Monday after making nearly a
half million dollars in false claims. "Sylvester Ijewere, 49, who owns
Arleta-based Maydads Medical Supply, pleaded guilty to one count of
health care fraud in U.S. Central District Court in California,
according U.S. attorneys office spokesman Thom Mrozek. He admitted to
scheming to purchase fraudulent prescriptions and medical documents in
order to submit false claims to Medicare for pricey power wheelchairs
and other equipment between June 2007 and October 2009. Ijewere made
false claims to Medicare by using doctor and beneficiary information
from fraudulent medical clinics and patient recruiters." Ijewere's
lawyer had no comment (Tayefe Mohajer, 4/12).
The Miami Herald: Another man pleaded guilty Monday
to federal health care fraud charges alleging he made $55 million in
false Medicare claims between 2005 and 2007. Ihosvany Marquez spent some
of the money he got from the Medicare system on 19 luxury cars,
expensive jewelry and thoroughbred horses. "Magistrate Judge Barry
Garber was so troubled by his conspicuous consumption that in early
January he refused to give Marquez, 38, a bond - citing his 'access to
substantial wealth, including cash, to support his flight from the
country if he chooses to do so.' Garber also noted that Marquez, a
father of two, hadn't held a real job in years. Marquez was accused of
operating six fraudulent Miami-Dade clinics - including one called
Tender Loving Care - with partner Michel De Jesus Huarte." Huarte has
also pleaded guilty (Weaver, 4/13).
The Associated Press/Business Week: The New York
Medicaid fraud unit has recorded 148 convictions in recovering $283
million in 2009. "Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that
the Medicaid Fraud Unit has recovered more than $660 million in taxpayer
funds in the past three years. ... Among the more prominent cases was a
$91 million civil settlement with Eli Lilly to resolve allegations that
it illegally promoted Zyprexa for
off-label uses" (4/12).
This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with kind permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery at kaiserhealthnews.org.