Mother and son accused of defrauding Medicaid out of $300,000
Gladys Aracely Gomez and Edward Exequiel Garcia-Gomez, who were healthcare workers out of Miami-Dade County were arrested after being paid illegal kickbacks to patients to receive psychosocial rehabilitation services to defraud the state medicaid program. (WPEC)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBS12) — A mother and son duo are accused of defrauding the Medicaid program out of $300,000, according to the Florida Attorney General's Office.
Gladys Aracely Gomez and Edward Exequiel Garcia-Gomez, who were healthcare workers out of Miami-Dade County were arrested after investigators said the pair paid illegal kickbacks to patients to receive psychosocial rehabilitation services to defraud the state Medicaid program.
“This mother-son duo used a cunning kickback scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from a taxpayer-funded health care program. My investigators uncovered this massive Medicaid fraud and will help ensure this criminal team faces justice for exploiting taxpayers," Moody said.
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According to Moody's office, the investigation uncovered the defendants gave some patients $250 biweekly or $500 monthly in return for rehabilitation sessions.
The Gomez's have been charged with a first degree felony and the case will be prosecuted by Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, 11th Judicial Court.