Federal authorities charge 12 South Florida defendants as nationwide health care fraud crackdown targets billions in false claims
Miami, Florida – Federal prosecutors in South Florida have announced criminal charges against 12 defendants as part of one of the largest health care fraud enforcement actions in Department of Justice history. The cases are tied to an expansive nationwide operation targeting billions of dollars in alleged fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program, and private insurance companies.
United States Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones said the South Florida investigations are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, a coordinated effort involving federal, state, and international law enforcement agencies.
According to prosecutors, the South Florida cases involve schemes connected to more than $4 billion in fraudulent claims involving durable medical equipment, wound care products, laboratory testing, and community mental health services. Authorities allege many of the services were medically unnecessary, obtained through illegal kickbacks, or never provided to patients at all.
“Health care fraud isn’t just fraud, it’s stealing from every American taxpayer. This Department of Justice is no longer satisfied with chasing stolen money after it’s gone,” said U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones. “We’re using data to detect suspicious claims earlier, prevent fraudulent payments whenever possible, seize the proceeds of fraud, and bring those responsible before the courts. If you choose to exploit our health care system for personal gain, expect to lose your money, your assets, and your freedom.”
Federal officials stressed that health care fraud affects far more than government finances.
“Health care fraud is more than a financial crime. Every dollar stolen through fraud is a dollar diverted from patient care, medical services, and programs that millions of Americans depend upon. The impact is felt not only in government-funded health care programs, but throughout the entire health care system,” said FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles.
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General also emphasized that individuals accused of exploiting Medicare and Medicaid programs will be pursued aggressively.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier added, “Medicaid is your tax dollars meant to help sick children, disabled adults, and struggling families get the doctor visits, therapy, and daily care they need. When someone cheats the system, they steal from the very people who need it most.”
Cases range from billion-dollar fraud to patient safety concerns
Among the South Florida cases is one involving Casilda Muniz Rodriguez of Hialeah, who is accused of helping establish at least 11 clinics that allegedly billed Medicare more than $117 million for wound care products and skin substitutes that prosecutors say patients never received. Medicare allegedly paid more than $55 million on those claims.
Authorities also announced the seizure of more than $27 million connected to 12 South Florida clinics accused of participating in “bust out” schemes that allegedly billed Medicare for services and products that were never provided.
Another major case involves Dr. Jason Finkelstein of Fort Worth, Texas. Prosecutors allege he participated in an $89 million cardiovascular testing fraud scheme involving student athletes across the country.
According to the indictment, Finkelstein approved cardiovascular test results without properly reviewing them and submitted claims containing diagnoses that prosecutors say were false. Authorities allege approximately $13.1 million was paid on those claims.
The indictment also describes one student athlete whose cardiovascular test was signed as normal despite indications of possible abnormalities. Roughly 24 days later, the student died from sudden cardiac arrest while exercising with a basketball team. Prosecutors allege that even after learning of the death, Finkelstein continued approving tests in the same manner. HHS-OIG issued a consumer alert regarding cardiovascular testing scams alongside the announcement.
Federal prosecutors also charged Eduardo Javier Ibarra Arrowsmith of Miami, who is accused of posing as a licensed physician while using the identity of a deceased Miami-Dade neurologist. According to investigators, he fraudulently completed at least 34 disability certification forms that allowed 14 naturalization applicants to receive U.S. citizenship without completing required English language and civics testing.
Other defendants face allegations involving durable medical equipment fraud, laboratory testing kickback schemes, Medicaid fraud, money laundering, and international financial transfers.
Among them is Ibrahim Hilmi of Miami, who was charged in connection with an alleged $3.76 billion fraud scheme involving medical equipment companies that prosecutors say billed government health care programs for equipment and wound dressings never delivered.
Giorgi Kimeridze, a citizen of Georgia, faces money laundering conspiracy charges tied to Operation Gold Rush and an alleged multi-billion-dollar Medicare fraud investigation.
Additional defendants include Laura Seiler-Anstett, Rajiv Shah, Anthony Tursi, Yilian Cruz, Inti Cruz, Adaimis Perez Arencibia, and Rene Yartu Couceiro, who face charges connected to alleged durable medical equipment fraud, genetic testing schemes, illegal kickbacks, and fraudulent Medicaid mental health billing.
Nationwide operation reaches historic scale
Officials said the South Florida prosecutions are part of a much broader enforcement effort.
Nationwide, authorities announced charges against 455 defendants, including 90 physicians and other licensed medical professionals, accused of participating in health care fraud and opioid-related schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in false claims.
The operation covered 56 federal judicial districts and 45 states and territories, with participation from 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units, the largest number ever involved in a Department of Justice health care fraud operation.
Investigators also recovered more than $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets.
In addition, federal agencies suspended 1,079 health care providers, revoked billing privileges for 1,403 providers, reached dozens of civil settlements, pursued more than 1,400 provider exclusions, and launched hundreds of additional administrative actions involving controlled substances.
The investigations were conducted by numerous agencies, including the FBI, HHS Office of Inspector General, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and many other federal, state, and international partners.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that criminal complaints and indictments contain allegations only. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
