Miami Couple Arrested for $1 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme
Fernando and Ileana Fonts, owners and operators of Free Line Medical Equipment in Miami, were arrested and charged with organized fraud for falsely billing the Florida Medicaid program more than $1 million.
“Our Medicaid program exists to ensure that our citizens receive the medical care they need,” said Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum. “When individuals attempt to steal those funds, other people in genuine need are victimized.”
The Agency for Health Care Administration tipped off the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, with information that the Fonts were failing to perform their services, by either not delivering equipment or delivering faulty equipment while billing Medicaid for fully functional equipment. This is a serious issue because not only were the Fonts stealing from the government, but they were also putting the lives of the patients with severe breathing problems in danger.
If Fernando and Ileana Fonts are prosecuted for Florida False Claims Act (qui tam) violations, they could be face substantial penalties. According to the new Florida False Claims Act violators face civil penalties for making false or fraudulent claims, written or electronically, to the government for the purpose of getting a false or fraudulent claim paid. The penalties can be up to $11,000 per claim and triple the amount of damages the government agency sustains. The new Florida False Claims Act was approved and signed into law in June 2007 by Governor Charlie Crist.
Click Here to read more from the Attorney General's Office on this case.
The Whistleblower Law Blog is presented as a service of the Private Law Firm, LaBovick & LaBovick, P.A., Civil Justice Prosecutors. LaBovick & LaBovick, P.A. is a Plaintiff's firm that represents whistleblowers in Florida and throughout the nation in qui tam (False Claims Act) litigation.
