A Rheumatologist De Texas was sentenced to ten years in prison for having developed a fraud plan in medical care, which involved more than US $ 118 million In false claims, having diagnosed patients with diseases Chronicles to bill evidence and treatments that they did not need.
After a 25 -day trial, the doctor Jorge Zamora Quezada68, he was convicted of seven fraud positions in medical care, including the falsification of his patients’ medical history to support false diagnosesas well as conspiring to commit fraud in medical care and obstruction of justice.
In addition to the prison sentence, Zamora Quezada was confiscated US $ 28 million (Q214 million), thirteen real estate properties in Texas, a jet And a car Maserati Granturismo. Since, according to the evidence presented during the trial, the doctor falsely diagnosed his patients and administered medications Toxic.
“Fraudulent diagnoses made patients believe a condition incurable and that required regular treatment in their offices, ”said the United States Department of Justice, because the defendant’s objective was defraud to Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare and Blue Cross Shield.
The “most significant” case of damage to patients in Texas
“After diagnosing mistakenly Almost all of his patients, Zamora Quezada administered treatments unnecessaryincluding a variety of injections, infusions, X -rays, magnetic resonances and other procedures with potentially harmful and even mortal side effects, ”added the Department of Justice.
Given this situation, and to be able to receive payment for these services, the doctor originally from the city of Mission He manufactured medical records and lied about the health status of patients to insurers, with the aim of financing their luxurious lifestyle for two decades, Traumatizing to their patients and abusing their employees.
“He lied to insurers and stole taxpayers’ money. His depraved behavior represents a deep betrayal of vulnerable patients who depend on the integrity of his doctors. The sentence is not just a punishmentIt is one warning”He said Matthew Galeotti, Head of the Criminal Division in the US.
“Medical professionals who harm Americans for personal enrichment will be persecuted aggressively. We are responsible for protecting citizens, ”Galeotti added, referring to the government department that is responsible for the application of laws and imparting justice In that nation.
“Through false diagnoses And excessive false billing, Dr. Zamora-who abused both patients and public resources, ”said the special agent in charge of the case, Jason Meadowsfrom the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services of the United States (HHS-OIG).
“It is imperative to investigate and address this form of fraud, not only to protect people Vulnerable of damage, but also to defend the integrity of the Federal Medical Care System and Safeguard the use of public funds, “concluded agent Aaron TapP, of the Federal Research Office (FBI).