COLUMBIA, SC (WFLA News) -- They ripped off Medicare patients... and bought yachts, high end cars and pricey real estate. Federal prosecutors say about two dozen people are facing charges in a medical device scam.
Prosecutors in South Carolina say the scheme involved taking more than a billion dollars of taxpayer money, using a telemarketing scheme through overseas call centers and bad doctors who prescribed medical equipment after JUST a phone consultation... and sometimes not even that.
Three men from South Florida and one from the west coast are among those facing charges... The feds say Creaghan Harry,51, of Highland Beach, Lester Stockett, 51, of Deerfield Beach, Elliot Loewenstern, 56, of Boca Raton, and Willie McNeal, 42, of Spring Hill, solicited bribes and kickbacks for referrals.
Indictments include high ranking executives with five telemedicine companies, the owners of dozens of medical device companies and three licensed medical professionals. The feds are executing more than 80 search warrants in 17 districts, including the Middle District of Florida (Jacksonville to Naples).
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