Summary
Three South Florida men have been sentenced to federal prison for their role in a Medicare fraud and money laundering scheme that involved millions of dollars in fraudulent health care claims.
Marco Scamarone, Jose Mendez, and Renee Vazquez were sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the three men participated in a scheme that submitted millions of dollars in false Medicare claims and later laundered the proceeds through shell companies.
The case involved fraudulent durable medical equipment (DME) businesses and resulted in significant financial losses to the Medicare program.
Key Facts
- More than $6.9 million in Medicare claims were submitted.
- The claims involved orthotic braces.
- Authorities said many claims were medically unnecessary.
- More than $2.2 million in proceeds were laundered.
- The defendants pleaded guilty in December 2025.
- Multiple federal agencies investigated the case.
How the Medicare Fraud Scheme Worked
According to court documents, the defendants owned and operated two durable medical equipment companies: Braces and Orthotics LLC in Virginia and Stone Oak Durable Medical Equipment LLC in Florida.
Telekom Malaysia self-reports alleged fraud involving former U.S. subsidiary managers
Federal authorities said that between January 2022 and February 2023, the businesses submitted approximately $6.9 million in claims to Medicare for orthotic braces. Investigators alleged that the braces were medically unnecessary and did not qualify for Medicare reimbursement.
The scheme reportedly relied on illegal kickbacks and bribes. Prosecutors said an offshore marketing company received payments in exchange for providing beneficiary referrals and fraudulent doctors’ orders. These referrals and medical orders were then used to support Medicare claims.
Authorities stated that the fraud generated large amounts of money. After receiving the proceeds, the defendants allegedly moved the funds through several shell companies that they controlled or that were controlled by associates.
The purpose of these transactions was allegedly to hide the source of the money and make the funds appear legitimate. Investigators determined that more than $2.2 million in fraud proceeds were laundered through this network of companies.
The funds were ultimately used for the benefit of the defendants and other individuals involved in the conspiracy, according to court filings.
Prison Sentences and Financial Penalties
The three men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in December 2025.
Following the guilty pleas, the court imposed prison sentences on all three defendants.
- Marco Scamarone, 34, of Tamarac, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison.
- Jose Mendez, 34, of Coral Springs, received a prison sentence of 78 months.
- Renee Vazquez, 33, of Tamarac, was sentenced to 60 months in prison.
In addition to prison time, the court ordered significant financial penalties.
Scamarone and Mendez were ordered to pay $2,217,840.35 in forfeiture and $3,016,324.20 in restitution.
Vazquez was ordered to pay $1,723,773.18 in forfeiture and $2,249,392.09 in restitution.
Federal prosecutors stated that the penalties reflect the seriousness of health care fraud and money laundering offenses involving taxpayer-funded programs.
Federal Investigation Into the Medicare Fraud Case
The case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the FBI Miami Office, and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG).
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald, U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones, Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott Lampert, FBI Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles, and DOL-OIG Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Pogozelski for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Claire Horrell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
According to the Department of Justice, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program has charged more than 6,200 defendants since 2007. Authorities reported that those cases collectively involved more than $45 billion in fraudulent billings submitted to federal health care programs and private insurers.
The sentencing of Marco Scamarone, Jose Mendez, and Renee Vazquez represents one of the latest enforcement actions targeting Medicare fraud, illegal kickbacks, and money laundering schemes involving federal health care funds.