A California marketing professional has been sentenced for his role in a scheme to induce unlawfully provided prescriptions by providing kickbacks to physicians.
According to a March 30 U.S. Department of Justice news release, Manuel J. Bojorquez, 44, of Anaheim, Calif., was sentenced to 36 months of probation, with 18 months to be served through home confinement, and was ordered to pay more than $3.3 million in restitution for funneling millions of dollars to Chicago-based physicians in exchange for the referral of prescriptions to pharmacies.
“This sentence sends a clear message that those who commit fraud or pay kickbacks will not get away with their illegal actions," Herbert Stapleton, special agent in charge for the FBI Indianapolis field office, said. "The FBI and our law enforcement partners will always work together to investigate allegations of health care fraud and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.”
“This sentencing should send a clear message to healthcare providers that the government is vigilantly protecting federal benefit programs from corruption and fraud," said Andre Martin, special agent in charge of the USPS office of the inspector general. "The USPS OIG appreciates our law enforcement partners for their commitment and efforts in this investigation. The USPS OIG will continue to vigorously investigate those who engage in activities to defraud federal benefit programs and the U.S. Postal Service.”
Bojorquez reportedly owned and operated MD Medical Distribution LLC, according to the news release. From 2013 to 2016, he reportedly worked as a merchandiser for various pharmaceutical companies based in Indiana.
