Health care fraud costs taxpayers throughout the state and country billions of dollars and increases medical costs. As part of this nationwide bust, we have arrested some of the worst offenders and have stopped the illegal sale of addictive prescription opioids––hopefully saving lives.
Included in the nationwide takedown, my MFCU, the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services arrested three culprits for conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Anyone who owns and operates a pharmacy and takes part in illegal behavior, such as submitting false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid, will be prosecuted. Florida’s medical professionals and pharmacy owners dedicate their lives to helping others and it is shameful when bad actors take part in fraud costing patients money and damaging the reputation of these hardworking professionals.
Let this nationwide health care fraud takedown be a warning to all—you will not get away with defrauding these programs. Medicare and Medicaid serve millions of older and lower-income Americans, giving countless people the ability to have health insurance. By deceiving health care, you are hurting the most vulnerable among us, and I will make sure you pay the price.
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In The News
‘Largest health-care fraud’ takedown ever nets 124 in South Florida, Palm Beach PostBoynton Beach company targeted teachers in student loan scam, Pam Bondi says, PALM BEACH POST
Riviera Beach gas station guilty of price gouging, Florida Attorney General’s Office says, WPTV
Action 9: Property management company accused of taking thousands under state investigation, WFTV
Senior citizens scammed into investing in fake fish farm company, WPTV
These laws take effect next week in Florida, Tampa Bay Times |
Protecting Floridians
Refunds Available for Florida Businesses Deceived by Scam
 Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that eligible Florida businesses that sent payments to Florida Corporate Filing Services, LLC for certificates of status may now apply for refunds. This settlement fund comes as a result of a consent judgment entered into by the Attorney General’s Office Bondi with Florida Corporate Filings Services, LLC providing for up to $64,000 in consumer restitution. The deadline to request a refund is August 1, 2018.
Florida Corporate Filing Services charged businesses approximately $45 for so-called certificates of status which are optional certificates that can be displayed to show that the business is registered with the Florida Secretary of State. More.
Three Charged for Defrauding Seniors out of More Than $400,000
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Office of Financial Regulation announced criminal charges against Matthew Braun, Michael Creamer and Rebecca Gonzales for participating in an organized scheme to defraud seniors in Broward, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.“These defendants are charged with targeting seniors and trying to steal their hard-earned retirement money with false promises of big profits. Anyone who tries to defraud Florida seniors deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I am grateful for the hard work of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation and my Office of Statewide Prosecution for investigating this case and protecting Florida’s seniors.” More. |
Events
Today, Attorney General Bondi is in Alabama for the funeral of her friend, Bridgette Marshall. Bridgette was the wife of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and the mother of Faith Marshall. Please keep the entire family in your prayers.
Pictured: Attorney General Steve Marshall, Bridgette Marshall and Faith Marshall
 Registration for the 2018 Human Trafficking Summit will open this Sunday, July 1. The summit will be held at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. This one-day summit will include opportunities to connect with law enforcement, government leaders, survivors, prosecutors, healthcare professionals, and community leaders while participating in targeted breakout sessions and workshops. For more details on this year’s summit and to register, click here
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