They came to the U.S. on a raft from Cuba, then built 'vast empire of fraud,' feds say A federal judge handed out prison sentences to a husband and wife who arrived to the U.S. from Cuba on a raft and went on to create a $38 million healthcare and wire fraud scheme, using the proceeds to purchase multiple properties, fancy cars, expensive jewelry and cosmetic procedures.
Earlier this month, the judge sentenced Rodolfo Pichardo, 71, of Hialeah, to more than 15 years, and his wife, Marta Pichardo, 66, to 8 years. The couple created at least six fraudulent home health agencies, three fraudulent therapy staffing companies and two fraudulent pharmacies, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
“After arriving in the United States from Cuba on a raft seeking refuge and a better life ... Rodolfo Pichardo and his wife Marta Pichardo settled in Miami-Dade County, Florida where they proceeded to build a vast empire of fraud,†the statement, released Friday, said.
The scheme ran from May 2010 through September 2016 and centered around kickbacks, paid in cash and by check, to patient recruiters who would refer Medicare patients to home health agencies owned by Rodolfo Pichardo, according to court documents. The Pichardos submitted more than $38 million in false Medicare claims and were paid out more than $33 million, the documents said..............
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