Alleged $1 BILLION Medicare Fraud in Florida

"$1 Billion Health Care Fraud Took Advantage Of Medicare In Florida, Agents Say"

NPR (link not embedding) www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/07/22/487037437/-1-billion-health-care-fraud-took-advantage-of-medicare-in-florida-agents-say

An alleged scheme that amassed in excess of $1 billion since 2009.

Philip Esformes (47 year old), who owns over 30 Miami-area "skilled nursing & assisted living facilities" could be facing life in a Federal Prison - white collar crime with actual punishment? Wow! Probably because he pissed off the government Moving on..

A hospital administrator and Physician's assistant are also being charged in this huge case by the DOJ.

The indictments accuse Esformes of leading "a complex and profitable health care fraud scheme that resulted in staggering losses — in excess of $1 billion," said Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI's Miami field office. Investigators say Esformes used his access to thousands of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to perpetrate a fraud

Esformes has been in trouble for similar activities in the past, but settled by paying millions back to the government. He thought he was being more clever this time. Sucks for you, bud. Apparently he bought $300,000 and $600,000 watches (respectively), hired escorts, the list goes on. This is big news.


2nd Source - CNBC www.cnbc.com...

3rd - Bloomberg www.bloomberg.com...

He should have been a banker. Then his scheme would have been to big to fail.

a reply to: cenpuppie

or a politician I hear they get away with murder

originally posted by: cenpuppie
He should have been a banker. Then his scheme would have been to big to fail.

And he wouldn't have seen any jail time

originally posted by: cenpuppie
He should have been a banker. Then his scheme would have been to big to fail.

Yeah, he would have been given a bail out, a Golden Parachute, and an additional low interest loan from the FED to make it through these troubled times.

In other words, he would have gotten even more money, for his bad decisions.

a reply to: FamCore

I wouldn't go as far as ordering a personalized license plate just yet... Maybe order some 'Prison Denim' (just order like 3 sizes too big... hahaha)

The reason I mention this is because of our current Flori-Duh Governor Rick Scott who amassed a fortune in a healthcare scheme in Alabama and then spent $75M USD of that ill gotten gains to get a job that pays $237/yr.
Then has a numbskull pass a law that states Welfare Recipients MUST pay for and take a test for drug usage, then undercuts Fl. hospitals at an avg. of $116 per test out of His personal business, the Quick-Care Strip Mall Kiosks..

Now that He is running for Senator, I'd guess that He is going to need $$$ to fuel that run. A crook who is buying $300k-$600k watches and hiring Pros has plenty of $$$ stashed AND has a prior history of throwing $$$ at legal issues.

If I were to guess- Home Arrest while waiting for the "courts" to figure out the penalty/fine/payola.

If the above scheme had actually lost $$$ I bet this TURD would've declared bankruptcy..

Perfect world scenario- This TURD should be washing underwear in a Federal Prison in that new 'touchy feely' co-ed Private Prison in a cell right next to The Clintons, the whole Cabal...

a reply to: chrismarco

Or just tell the Feds that he didn't "intend" to.

How does Medicare loose $1B ... I mean at that scale was not a single person person doing their job?

originally posted by: DanDanDat
How does Medicare loose $1B ... I mean at that scale was not a single person person doing their job?

That's exactly what I'm saying - how the hell did it take this long to nail these bastards? They should have ALREADY been all over this guy due to his past transgressions. Instead, he was able to accumulate a massive amount of wealth with a NEW scheme, undetected for awhile.

It's also sickening that they fudged reports and eligibility for patients in order to keep them addicted to narcotics to keep the money coming in. What a sick bastard.

I lived a number of years in Florida. Schemes left and right-or thinking about schemes. The government just hands it over and seems happy to do so. The governor there was also found guilty of healthcare schemes and then he won as governor! Unless you are part of the players there; you just have a low-paying cheesy job just enough to buy cigs and booze. As a teacher in the public schools for a short period-parent's night is very lonely for the teachers.

Somehow-somewhere- Florida took a wrong turn-which is amazing because all needs are provided/there's either a church, a bar or a nudie show on every corner.

originally posted by: FamCore

originally posted by: DanDanDat
How does Medicare loose $1B ... I mean at that scale was not a single person person doing their job?

That's exactly what I'm saying - how the hell did it take this long to nail these bastards? They should have ALREADY been all over this guy due to his past transgressions. Instead, he was able to accumulate a massive amount of wealth with a NEW scheme, undetected for awhile.

It's also sickening that they fudged reports and eligibility for patients in order to keep them addicted to narcotics to keep the money coming in. What a sick bastard.

I agree. How and why did he have a chance to commit fraud AGAIN and for such a long period of time? This would appear to be negligence by those investigating for it to go on so long. It also makes me think that the actual fraud numbers might be much higher and by 'catching' this big fish, people will think all is above board and honest while the rest of the fish continue to suck the pond dry.

a reply to: FamCore

Philip Esformes (47 year old), who owns over 30 Miami-area "skilled nursing & assisted living facilities" could be facing life in a Federal Prison - white collar crime

What a filthy egotistical pig.

I hope he gets life in a Federal prison. People are starving in this country, and many cannot afford any healthcare insurance.

Philip Esformes is no different then Bernie Madeoff, Greed is what motivates scum like this, and the funny thing about all this they, think they are smarter then anyone else, and really believe they will never get caught.