Florida Clinic CEO and VA Employee Sentenced in Health Care Kickback Scheme Involving Over $14 Million in Claims
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on November 5 that two Florida men were sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to pay and receive illegal health care kickbacks: clinic CEO Heriberto Rivera was sentenced to 13 months in prison, and VA employee Laurent Cassagnol was sentenced to 6 months in prison. Rivera was ordered to forfeit $515,542 and Cassagnol $175,172, representing the proceeds of the offense.
According to court documents, both men are 43 and live in Orlando, Florida. Rivera is the CEO of Family Integrative Medicine of Orlando, LLC (FIMO), which provides acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments and other holistic medical services. Cassagnol was an Advanced Medical Support Assistant for the VA Community Care Program (VACCP). Rivera paid kickbacks and bribes to Cassagnol in exchange for Cassagnol using his VA position to steer VA patients to FIMO.
As a result of the kickbacks, over $14 million in fraudulent claims were submitted to the VA and VACCP, of which over $11 million was paid. The case began with a complaint to the VA Office of Inspector General fraud hotline and was investigated by the FBI and VA-OIG.
(Source: U.S. Department of Justice)
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于华盛顿的美国司法部总部大楼（GSM 联邦固定图库）。 / Photo: U.S. Department of Justice headquarters in Washington (GSM federal fixed library).
