Miami Clinic Execs Guilty in $5.3M Medicare Fraud Scam

MIAMI – The owners and operators of two Miami medical clinics have been hit with guilty pleas in a $5.3 million Medicare fraud scheme, according to federal prosecutors.

Juan A. ‘Tony’ Marrero, Belkis Marrero, and Luz Borrego each pleaded guilty on Jan. 14, admitting they co-owned Medcore Group LLC and M&P Group of South Florida Inc., clinics specializing in HIV treatment.

Starting in August 2004, the trio conspired with others to submit millions in fraudulent claims to Medicare, billing for treatments that were not medically necessary. Borrego confessed to administering unnecessary drugs to patients at Medcore, while Tony Marrero faced additional charges of laundering the proceeds.

The defendants also admitted to kickback schemes involving Medicare beneficiaries and false medical files to support their billings. Tony Marrero’s involvement in writing checks for cash transactions further fueled the fraudulent operations.

Orlando Pascual Jr., co-owner of Medcore and M&P, has already pleaded guilty and is currently serving time for prior Medicare fraud. Harold Sio, owner of Lifecare Medical, was charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering related to the scheme.

The case’s remaining co-defendants are set for trial on Feb. 9, in the Southern District of Florida. Sentencing for the Marreros and Borrego is scheduled for April 3.