Grimy Times Exclusive
A Texas woman has been charged with conspiring to pay illegal kickbacks to physicians and marketers in exchange for referrals of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Claudia Haro, a 44-year-old McAllen woman, was arrested today after a federal grand jury returned an indictment against her on October 9. The indictment, which was previously under seal, was unsealed following her arrest.
Haro is accused of engaging in a conspiracy from 2011 through 2016. According to the indictment, she and her co-conspirators allegedly paid kickbacks to physicians and various other individuals in exchange for beneficiary referrals and certification, as well as services and supplies billed to Medicare and Medicaid.
The indictment alleges that Haro delivered cash payments in return for the referral of beneficiaries to a home health agency and other providers with whom she was associated.
Haro is also charged with one count of making false statements to federal agents. If convicted of any of the charges, she faces up to five years in prison.
The investigation into Haro’s activities was conducted by the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Swartz and Cynthia Villanueva are prosecuting the case.
Haro is expected to make her initial appearance tomorrow morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Related Federal Cases
- Shannon Tecoko Mays, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Texas, 2012 · Texas
- Juan A. Tony Marrero, Medicare Fraud Scheme, Miami FL, 2023 · Florida
- William Johnson, Murder and RICO Conspiracy, Minneapolis MN, 2023 · Washington
- Tren de Aragua Leaders Unsealed, Terror Cartel Crimes, Texas, 2023 · New Mexico
- Dantrell Johnson, RICO Conspiracy, Minneapolis MN, 2023 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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