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A Cuban citizen residing in Florida was sentenced to more than five years in prison for healthcare fraud exceeding 7.6 million dollars and aggravated identity theft, according to the United States Department of Justice.
Fernando Espinosa León, 60 years old, will serve a sentence of five years and 10 months in federal prison after being found guilty of defrauding Medicare using his company, Global Medical Supply Inc., as ruled by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber.
The magistrate of the Middle District of Florida also ordered the confiscation from Espinosa of the sum of $4,013,148.76, obtained through his crimes, noted a statement from the DOJ.
On December 6, 2024, the Cuban pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
According to court documents, to implement the plan to defraud Medicare, Espinosa stole personally identifiable information from program beneficiaries and medical professionals.
The Prosecutor's Office demonstrated that the man fraudulently billed Medicare for durable medical equipment that he claimed had been prescribed and supplied.
Between June and September 2020, Espinosa hired the services of an external biller and submitted fraudulent reimbursement claims exceeding $7.6 million. In this way, he obtained more than $4 million in profits from Medicare fraud, which were deposited into a bank account that the Cuban managed and controlled.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Marshals Service were in charge of the case investigation.
Last week, a Cuban businessman residing in Hialeah attempted to flee to Cuba, who is accused of laundering nearly two million dollars through a Medicare fraud scheme that totaled $41 million, and of sending part of those funds to Cuba, according to federal authorities.
Edelberto Borges Morales, 62 years old, was arrested by federal agents just before boarding a flight to Varadero, Matanzas, last Thursday.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the federal court of Miami, Borges laundered $1.9 million from a fraud involving three medical equipment companies based in South Florida: One-Star Professional Services Inc., Med-Union Medical Center Inc., and Vida Med Center LLC., which submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare for $41 million, billing for durable medical equipment (DME) “that was never provided.”
At the beginning of 2024, the FBI office in Miami was tracking over 100 fugitives in active Medicare fraud cases in South Florida, according to a report from El Nuevo Herald published in March.
Together, they defrauded the health program of hundreds of millions of dollars by submitting fraudulent claims for fake services, including medical supplies, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
Most of the accused fugitives are Cuban immigrants who fled to the island or to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and other Spanish-speaking countries to evade federal justice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Medicare Fraud and Legal Cases Involving Cuban Citizens
What was the fraud committed by Fernando Espinosa León and what is his sentence?
Fernando Espinosa León was sentenced to more than five years in prison for defrauding the Medicare program of over 7.6 million dollars through his company, Global Medical Supply Inc. It was also ordered to confiscate more than 4 million dollars obtained through his crimes.
What connection exists between Medicare fraud and Cuban citizens in the U.S.?
Recent Medicare fraud schemes have involved Cuban citizens in South Florida, who, after committing the crimes, have fled to Cuba or other countries to evade justice. These frauds have cost Medicare hundreds of millions of dollars, undermining the integrity of the healthcare system in the U.S.
How did the fraud scheme of Edelberto Borges Morales operate?
Cuban businessman Edelberto Borges Morales was arrested for laundering 1.9 million dollars from a Medicare fraud involving three companies in Florida. These companies submitted fraudulent claims for 41 million dollars for medical equipment that was never provided. Borges attempted to flee to Cuba before being arrested on March 20.
What are the legal consequences for those involved in Medicare fraud in the U.S.?
Those involved in Medicare fraud face severe prison sentences, confiscation of assets, and the obligation to repay the defrauded funds. Additionally, if they are immigrants, they may face deportation proceedings and be banned from returning to the U.S.
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