Marco Scamarone, Medicare Fraud and Money Laundering, Florida 2026

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In a brazen scheme to rip off Medicare, three Florida men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a massive fraud and money laundering operation. Marco Scamarone, 34, of Tamarac, Florida, was handed a 70-month prison sentence, while Jose Mendez, 34, of Coral Springs, Florida, received a 78-month sentence. Renee Vazquez, 33, of Tamarac, Florida, was sentenced to 60 months behind bars.

According to court documents, the trio owned and operated two phony durable medical equipment (DME) companies: Braces and Orthotics LLC in the Eastern District of Virginia and Stone Oak Durable Medical Equipment LLC in the Southern District of Florida. Between January 2022 and February 2023, these fake companies submitted a staggering $6.9 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for orthotic braces that were medically unnecessary and ineligible for reimbursement.

The scheme involved paying kickbacks and bribes to an offshore marketing company in exchange for referrals of beneficiaries and fake doctors’ orders. The three men then conspired to launder the proceeds of their fraud through a series of shell companies under their control or that of their associates, ultimately laundering more than $2.2 million.

The investigation into this massive Medicare scam is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of healthcare fraud in the United States. As the numbers show, the financial stakes are high, and the consequences for those caught will be severe.

The sentencing of Scamarone, Mendez, and Vazquez marks a significant victory for law enforcement in their efforts to combat Medicare fraud and protect the integrity of the healthcare system.

Source: Department of Justice

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