Two medical equipment company and pharmacy owners were indicted as part of a $14.5 million Medicare fraud scheme.
Kuba Zarobkiewicz, 35, of San Antonio, and Anthony Fermin, 32, of Boca Raton, Fla., owned various medical equipment companies and pharmacies, according to the Justice Department.
Farrukh Mirza, 39, of Richmond, Texas, was also indicted in the scheme.
The Justice Department alleges Mr. Zarobkiewicz and Mr. Fermin paid kickbacks to Mr. Mirza's telemarketing firms in exchange for signed orders for unnecessary hip, knee and back braces.
According to a news release from the Justice Department, all three defendants were charged in December 2022 with one count of conspiracy to pay and receive healthcare kickbacks, one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and multiple counts of healthcare fraud and identity theft.
The defendants could face up to 17 years in prison if convicted on all charges.