Miami Biller Fleeced Medicare Out of $2.5M

MIAMI, FL – Cecilio Pelaez Delgado, 51, of Miami, is facing serious time after a federal jury found him guilty of a brazen $2.5 million Medicare fraud scheme. Delgado, a former billing employee at Viton Therapy Medical Center Inc., was convicted on ten counts of health care fraud (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1347) and one count of conspiracy to commit the same (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349). The verdict came down after a trial showcasing a systematic effort to bilk insurance companies out of massive sums.

Prosecutors laid out the case, detailing how Delgado, working through Viton Therapy and a related clinic, One Solution Therapy, submitted false and fraudulent claims to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBS) and Cigna. The clinics specialized in expensive infusion and injection therapies, and the scheme allegedly involved inflating claims for services never rendered or medically unnecessary. The total submitted claims reached a staggering $2.5 million, with over $400,000 ultimately paid out to the perpetrators.

The Grimy Times has learned the fraud wasn’t just about phantom billing. Delgado and his co-conspirators allegedly went further, offering kickbacks and bribes to vulnerable patients – individuals suffering from HIV – to entice them to attend the clinics. This despicable tactic ensured a steady stream of patients to justify the fraudulent claims, exploiting a vulnerable population for financial gain. This isn’t just a numbers game; it’s a betrayal of trust and a callous disregard for the health of those targeted.

“This conviction sends a clear message that we will aggressively pursue and prosecute those who seek to defraud our healthcare system,” stated Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General. The agencies worked together to unravel the complex web of deceit.

Delgado’s sentencing is scheduled for June 13, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. He now faces a substantial prison sentence and financial penalties. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Clark is prosecuting the case. The Grimy Times will be in the courtroom to cover the sentencing and provide updates on this developing story.

For those seeking more information, a copy of the press release can be found on the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida website: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents are available on the District Court for the Southern District of Florida website: http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or through PACER at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.