A Miami man who pled guilty to a $205 million Medicare fraud scheme has been sentenced to 50 years in prison, the longest sentence ever imposed in a Medicare Fraud Strike Force case, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.
Along with his prison term, Lawrence Duran was ordered to pay more than $87 million in restitution. He owned American Therapeutic Corporation and billed Medicare for mental health services that were not medically necessary or never provided from 2002-2010.
In April, he pleaded guilty to 38 felony counts, including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive illegal healthcare kickbacks, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering and structuring to avoid reporting requirements.
Justice officials said the 50-year sentence "reflects the reprehensibility of the defendant's conduct, and is a powerful warning sign to others inclined to cheat the Medicare program," according to the release.
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Along with his prison term, Lawrence Duran was ordered to pay more than $87 million in restitution. He owned American Therapeutic Corporation and billed Medicare for mental health services that were not medically necessary or never provided from 2002-2010.
In April, he pleaded guilty to 38 felony counts, including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive illegal healthcare kickbacks, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering and structuring to avoid reporting requirements.
Justice officials said the 50-year sentence "reflects the reprehensibility of the defendant's conduct, and is a powerful warning sign to others inclined to cheat the Medicare program," according to the release.
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