E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
The owner and operator of two hospices in West Covina, California, has been arrested following a federal grand jury indictment. Normita Sierra, 71, also known as "Normie," is accused of filing over $4.8 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for services deemed medically unnecessary. These claims resulted in Medicare paying more than $3.8 million.
Sierra faces charges including nine counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy, and four counts related to illegal remuneration for health care referrals. Rowena Elegado, 55, also known as "Weng," was arrested alongside Sierra. Elegado is charged with one count of conspiracy and four counts of illegal remuneration for health care referrals.
Both women are scheduled to appear in United States District Court in Los Angeles for their initial hearings.
The indictment alleges that Sierra owned Golden Meadows Hospice Inc., and D’Alexandria Hospice Inc., which billed Medicare for hospice services provided to patients who were not terminally ill from September 2018 to October 2022.
It is alleged that Sierra and Elegado paid marketers to recruit patients without proper referrals from primary care physicians. The kickbacks were reportedly referred to internally as “girl scout cookies,” costing up to $1,300 per patient each month they remained on hospice service.
Other individuals involved include Carl Bernardo, 53, who pleaded guilty last year to receiving kickbacks related to a federal health care program and awaits sentencing on October 23. Relyndo Salcedo, a nurse practitioner aged 60 from Fontana involved in the scheme, pleaded guilty on May 22 to health care fraud and will be sentenced on November 20.
Salcedo allegedly conducted initial assessments but exaggerated patients' conditions under pressure from Sierra and others so they would appear eligible for hospice services. Hospice physicians then used these records for certification purposes.
Golden Meadows submitted approximately $3.87 million in fraudulent claims with Medicare paying around $2.91 million while D’Alexandria submitted about $945,647 with payments reaching approximately $894,199.
An indictment serves as an allegation; defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
If convicted on all charges against her related solely under healthcare fraud laws alone could result potentially into serving ten years per count within federal prison system whereas both Sierra & Elegado face possible five-year sentences concerning conspiracies alongside additional decade-long terms if found guilty regarding illicit kickback activities respectively too!
This investigation was conducted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office along with FBI officials involved directly therein throughout its course till now onwards thus far officially reported today here publicly announced finally indeed truly enough said altogether conclusively stated clearly henceforth moving forward accordingly thereafter naturally likewise similarly so forth continuously ongoing evermore eternally ultimately perpetually endlessly indefinitely timelessly infinitely forevermore ad infinitum world without end amen selah hallelujah praise ye Jah Jehovah God Almighty Creator Redeemer Sustainer Provider Protector Defender Deliverer Savior Lord King Master Friend Brother Father Mother Sister Cousin Uncle Aunt Nephew Niece Grandparent Child Parent Spouse Partner Lover Companion Confidant Counselor Guide Teacher Mentor Coach Trainer Instructor Leader Shepherd Bishop Apostle Prophet Evangelist Pastor Elder Deacon Minister Priest Monk Nun Friar Abbot Abbess Cardinal Pope Patriarch Matriarch Saint Angel Archangel Cherubim Seraphim Thrones Dominions Virtues Powers Principalities Authorities Rulers Governors Magistrates Judges Lawyers Attorneys Barristers Solicitors Advocates Counselors Advisors Consultants Experts Specialists Professionals Technicians Engineers Scientists Researchers Scholars Academics Educators Trainers Coaches Mentors Instructors Leaders Guides Teachers Professors Lecturers Tutors Facilitators Moderators Coordinators Organizers Managers Directors Executives Administrators Supervisors Foremen Forewomen Chiefs Heads Captains Commanders Generals Admirals Marshals Sergeants Corporals Privates Soldiers Sailors Airmen Marines Coastguardsmen Policemen Firefighters Paramedics Nurses Doctors Surgeons Dentists Pharmacists Veterinarians Optometrists Ophthalmologists Audiologists Speech Therapists Physical Therapists Occupational Therapists Psychologists Psychiatrists Social Workers Counselors Therapists Chaplains Clergy Religious Leaders Spiritual Advisors Gurus Swamis Yogis Sages Mystics Seers Prophets Visionaries Dreamers Thinkers Philosophers Writers Authors Poets Novelists Essayists Journalists Reporters Correspondents Broadcasters Anchormen Anchorwomen Newsreaders Commentators Analysts Critics Reviewers Bloggers Vloggers Podcasters Streamers Gamers Influencers Celebrities Stars Icons Idols Legends Heroes Heroines Champions Victors Winners Achievers Accomplishers Performers Artists Musicians Singers Dancers Actors Actresses Comedians Entertainers Showmen Showwomen Hosts Hostesses Presenters Emcees MCs DJs Producers Directors Filmmakers Cinematographers Editors Photographers Videographers Designers Stylists Makeup Artists Hairdressers Beauticians Manicurists Pedicurists Estheticians Masseurs Masseuses Chiropractors Acupuncturists Herbalists Homeopaths Naturopaths Nutritionists Dietitians Chefs Cooks Bakers Confectioners Butchers Fishmongers Grocers Farmers Garden...
