Southern District of Texas
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The operators of a durable medical equipment company have been charged with defrauding Medicare, announced U. S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities took Maria Luisa Yzaguirre, 43, Harlingen, into custody this morning. She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 31.
Jeremiah Yzaguirre, 44, also of Harlingen, was arrested Aug. 22.
The 16-count indictment charges the operators with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.
The charges allege that between 2019 and 2023, the Yzaguires submitted over $14 million in claims to Medicare for power wheelchairs, power scooters, parts and repairs for 37 individuals. In multiple instances, they allegedly billed Medicare more than $600,000 for parts and repairs for one Medicare beneficiary and falsely claimed to have replaced expensive parts on numerous occasions.
According to the indictment, in one instance they billed Medicare approximately $736,072 in parts and repairs for one patient - submitting repair claims 132 times for the expandable controller, 107 times for the motor-gearbox and 84 times for the battery. The patient was bed bound and did not have access to the power wheelchair when the repairs were allegedly conducted.
Additionally, the indictment alleges they used proceeds of the fraud scheme to purchase millions of dollars in real estate, cryptocurrency, stock, a luxury sports car and expensive movie memorabilia.
If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison for health care fraud and money laundering and a mandatory two years for each count of aggravated identity theft which muse be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.
The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, Texas Health and Human Services, Texas Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Texas Department of Insurance conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Swartz and Ana Cano are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The operators of a durable medical equipment company have been charged with defrauding Medicare, announced U. S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Authorities took Maria Luisa Yzaguirre, 43, Harlingen, into custody this morning. She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 31.
Jeremiah Yzaguirre, 44, also of Harlingen, was arrested Aug. 22.
The 16-count indictment charges the operators with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.
The charges allege that between 2019 and 2023, the Yzaguires submitted over $14 million in claims to Medicare for power wheelchairs, power scooters, parts and repairs for 37 individuals. In multiple instances, they allegedly billed Medicare more than $600,000 for parts and repairs for one Medicare beneficiary and falsely claimed to have replaced expensive parts on numerous occasions.
According to the indictment, in one instance they billed Medicare approximately $736,072 in parts and repairs for one patient - submitting repair claims 132 times for the expandable controller, 107 times for the motor-gearbox and 84 times for the battery. The patient was bed bound and did not have access to the power wheelchair when the repairs were allegedly conducted.
Additionally, the indictment alleges they used proceeds of the fraud scheme to purchase millions of dollars in real estate, cryptocurrency, stock, a luxury sports car and expensive movie memorabilia.
If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison for health care fraud and money laundering and a mandatory two years for each count of aggravated identity theft which muse be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.
The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, Texas Health and Human Services, Texas Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Texas Department of Insurance conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Swartz and Ana Cano are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
11 comments:
It's taking the government to long to identify those defrauding Medicare. At the end of the day they will only get a slap on the hand. That's why this type of behavior continues. Those involved will only change the name of the company and will continue business as usual.
I desire for money is a great one. Look at all the politicians in our city stealing. Oh, I forgot it is not stealing because they are using loop holes.
I wonder if Carlos Elizondo AKA "La Rata Pelona" is invloved in this scam? Remember, he was arrested for stealing a wheelchair several years ago when he worked for the Brownsvile Fire Department. He was fired from there for stealing money from the BFD Union among other crimes while serving as Fire Chief. La Rata Pelona got re-elected to the BISD Board after loosing his re-election on his first term as board member where he was also accused of unethical behavior activities. It is my understanding that he is working as a nurse with some very respectful doctors of our commmunity, I wonder if they know his history of scams and thefts? Need not worry, the light will shine on him again!
August 31, 2023 at 5:30 AM
Correct. They will pocket the money they stole and become good people in Harlingen's society.
They will build a big home, establish a legacy for their children and continue doing awful things.
If guilty, trust the feds will throw the book at them. May justice be served.
CARLOS ELIZONDO LINE OF WORK.
JUST ASK THE VA.
The Feds should keep looking at these medical equipment companies. There are a couple more of these in Harlingen, (owned by prominent people), that are shady! The ‘assisted living’ schemes are also suspect. Cash cows for the obsessively greedy!
Greed Greed Greed!!!! PAIR OF THIEVES. Hope these guys end up in the slammer.
I hoid dat da governor was the first to complain, das wht i hoid.d. se chingo charro days he said he ain't comin heir no mor.
These people are no damn good.
charro days? puros pinche caballos, ugly floats with ugle vieja, no bands, you sit there on the 20 dollars a chair for 9 hours and all you see is NOTHING. MAMONES. AND WHO MAKES LA FERIA AND WHERE DO THEY SPEND IT? DID THEY PAY TAXES ON IT?
RATAS ELECTED OFFICIAls
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