TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Federal prosecutors announced charges Friday against several people across the Tampa Bay area as part of a nationwide health care fraud crackdown, accusing them of exploiting Medicare through a variety of alleged schemes.
“These schemes steal from taxpayers, divert care from patients who need it, and all too often put beneficiaries at risk and threaten their well-being,” said Isaac Bledsoe, special agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
455 people, including doctors, charged in nationwide Medicare fraud, opioid abuse schemes
The largest local case involves Leigh Tesar, Walter Presha and Koby Evans, who are accused of participating in a wound care fraud scheme that allegedly billed Medicare more than $118 million over an 18-month period.
“Tesar… Presha… and Koby Evans… were indicted for wound care fraud… a scheme that could have cost the taxpayers… $118 million,” U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe said…