⏱ 2 min read
In a shocking display of greed, several individuals in Florida have been charged with allegedly defrauding Medicare in a scheme involving over $118 million in false claims. The scam, which was part of a larger national takedown, resulted in charges against 455 defendants across 56 federal districts. Leigh Tesar, Walter Presha, Jr., and Koby Evans, all from the Middle District of Florida, were among those indicted for their roles in the wound care fraud scheme.
The takedown, which was a coordinated effort between federal, state, and international law enforcement agencies, used cutting-edge data analytics to target the worst offenders. The effort resulted in the seizure of over $182 million in cash, houses, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets. The Department of Justice has vowed to continue cracking down on healthcare fraud, which compromises the efficacy of critical services and commits theft from taxpayers.
The alleged scheme involved submitting false claims to Medicare for wound care services, resulting in significant patient harm, including death. The charges against the defendants are part of a larger effort to combat healthcare fraud and opioid abuse schemes, which have resulted in over $6.5 billion in false claims.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has announced the charges as part of the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat healthcare fraud, with charges in 45 US states and territories, the most in Department history.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Florida
- Location: US
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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