Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis was in Fort Myers on Wednesday to make an announcement about a health insurance fraud scheme the state has been investigating since 2015.
Patronis said the individuals involved in the scheme stole multiple medical doctors' identities and billed Florida insurance companies with illegally obtained policy holder information.
“We have arrested 10 individuals of 14, stealing $42 million in an elaborate insurance fraud scheme,” Patronis said.
Patronis also said the people of interest in the case leased a total of 15 office spaces in Fort Myers, Tampa, Boca Raton and Miami.
In Fort Myers, three of the office spaces listed were attached to one location at 451 Deleon St.
No one revieved treatment at any of those locations across the state. The spaces were used mostly to receive mail.
Authorities were tipped off about the scheme after a citizen reported being billed for procedures and treatment that were never done.
Patronis says one person connected with the scheme has arranged to turn himself in and the remaining three suspects are still at large.
