Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted Felipe Ruiz, 51, of Fresno, and Jose Gabriel Aguirre, 52, of Clovis, for conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced the one-count indictment.
Ruiz, affiliated with West Coast Podiatry Inc. in Fresno, Madera, and Stanislaus Counties, allegedly purchased skin grafts from Aguirre. Aguirre, a sales representative, used his own and his wife’s names, as well as a corporation registered to his wife, to sell these skin grafts.
From June 2021 to January 2024, it is claimed that Ruiz allowed Aguirre, who is not a licensed health care provider, to apply the skin grafts to beneficiaries of Medicare and Medi-Cal without Ruiz being present. They allegedly let beneficiaries believe Aguirre was “Dr. Gabe,” despite his non-doctor status.
The indictment alleges that false claims were submitted to Medicare and Medi-Cal, pretending Ruiz applied the grafts, while Aguirre had provided the services. Consequently, Medicare and Medi-Cal paid Ruiz millions based on false claims. Ruiz is said to have made payments to Aguirre, and both allegedly used the funds for personal gain.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Ruiz and Aguirre face potentially 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing would consider applicable statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It is important to note that charges are allegations, with the defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
