⏱ 3 min read
Michael Kochen, a 42-year-old healthcare executive from Aventura, Florida, and Sandro Herek, a 56-year-old telemarketing company owner from Coral Springs, Florida, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a $35 million Medicare fraud scheme. The duo exploited elderly Medicare Advantage beneficiaries by submitting false and fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment, including back, knee, shoulder, and ankle braces. The scheme, which lasted for several years, generated approximately $35 million in fraudulent claims and more than $19 million in payments.
Kochen and Herek used relentless telemarketing tactics to target vulnerable seniors, treating them as profit centers and federal health care programs as personal bank accounts. The two men were found guilty at trial, with Kochen convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud, six counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and three counts of payment of health care kickbacks. Herek was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud, one count of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and three counts of receiving health care kickbacks.
Senior U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham sentenced Kochen to 204 months in federal prison and Herek to 92 months in federal prison. The sentences reflect the severity of the crimes and the impact on the victims. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida stated that the defendants targeted elderly Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with unnecessary medical equipment, generating millions in fraudulent claims and payments.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, which is committed to protecting the integrity of federal health care programs and the health and well-being of Americans who rely on those programs. The sentences send a strong message to those who would exploit vulnerable seniors and federal health care programs for personal gain.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Florida
- Location: US
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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