Related Federal Cases
- Joseph Malvasio, Wire Fraud and Conspiracy, Florida 2023 · Florida
- Joseph M. Palazzo, Mail Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Wire Fraud, Ohio 2011 · Florida
- Joseph Palazzo, Mail Fraud and Money Laundering, Ohio 2024 · Florida
- Juan Alejandro Rodriguez Cuya, Mail Fraud, Florida 2014 · Florida
- Kenneth Karow, Mail Fraud, Florida 2023 · Florida
Florida Chiropractic Clinics Charged with Mail Fraud
Fort Myers, Florida – In a major blow to chiropractic clinics operating outside of the law, five residents of Naples have been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering.
According to the indictment, Garry Joseph, 36, and Sijames Melus, 32, were the true owners of two chiropractic clinics in Naples, Parkway Medical and Rehab LLC and T&C Consultants d/b/a Collier Chiropractic Center. To circumvent State of Florida licensing requirements, they paid licensed health care practitioners to allow their names to be used on official documents as though they were the true owners of the clinics.
Between October 2012 and February 2015, Parkway and Collier Chiropractic submitted claims to automobile insurance companies for payment for services purportedly rendered to accident victims treated at the clinics. The true owners of the clinics caused the insurance companies to be billed for claims that violated Florida law because the clinics were not properly licensed. In addition, they caused the insurance companies to be billed for claims for unnecessary treatments and/or services that had not been actually rendered. Joseph and Melus allegedly defrauded the auto insurance companies of more than $2 million.
The indictment also charges Nesly Loute, 51, Wisler Cyrius, 34, and Anouce Toussaint, 32, with conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Cyrius and Toussaint have also been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictments also notify the defendants that the United States is seeking money judgments in the amount of the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State of Florida’s Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistance was also provided by the Florida Highway Patrol, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the Florida Department of Health, and the State Attorneys’ Offices for the 13th and 19th Judicial Circuits. The following insurance companies also assisted with the case: Travelers, Nationwide, Bristol West, Esurance, Windhaven, Farmers, Direct General, Allstate, State Farm, Progressive, Geico, Infinity, and Foremost.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney <...>.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime