Fugitive
Ernesto Hernandez
Fugitive Status | sentenced |
---|---|
Charges | Health care fraud |
Amount of Arrears | $219,000 |
Investigation Details
Ernesto Hernandez was sentenced to over three years in prison and $219,000 in restitution on June 25, 2014. Ernesto Hernandez was arrested on February 18, 2014 after arriving at Miami International Airport on a flight from Cuba.
Hernandez was indicted in April 2008 on five counts of health care fraud. Hernandez was the sole officer and registered agent of La Numero 1 Farmacia Discount Corp, a Miami-based pharmacy that purportedly provided aerosol medications and other medical supplies to Medicare beneficiaries.
Investigators believe that Hernandez, through his company, submitted nearly $4 million in false claims to Medicare, billing for various health care benefits, items, and services that were not medically necessary, not prescribed by a doctor, and/or were never provided to beneficiaries. Hernandez received approximately $1.4 million in reimbursement from Medicare for these fraudulent claims.
After being interviewed by Federal agents in March 2008, Hernandez fled the United States for Cuba. Consequently, a warrant was issued for his arrest. He remained a fugitive for nearly 6 years.
- Health Care Fraud