TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA)— A last individual has been arrested in a scheme that defrauded the Florida Medicaid program of greater than $5 million, Lawyer Normal James Uthmeier mentioned.
AG’s Medicaid Fraud Management Unit arrested and charged the ultimate member, Joseph Chacon. Chacon was arrested on an excellent warrant at Orlando Worldwide Airport on April 23, 2025.
In line with MFCU, an investigation revealed that the fraud scheme was led by Jose Enrique Hernandez Fernandez, and the defendants operated a nonemergency medical transportation service that billed Medicaid for hundreds of journeys that have been by no means taken.
“This scheme defrauded Florida’s taxpayers and diverted sources meant for sufferers in want,” mentioned Lawyer Normal James Uthmeier. “With the arrest of the ultimate defendant, justice is catching as much as each particular person who thought they might exploit the Medicaid system. Beneath my management, we won’t tolerate fraud, waste, or abuse and can relentlessly pursue those that attempt to revenue on the expense of the individuals of Florida.”
Hernandez Fernandez owned Candy Transportation, LLC, an organization that was contracted to supply nonemergency medical transportation to Medicaid recipients, the workplace of the Lawyer Normal mentioned.
Over at the very least two years, Hernandez Fernandez and his employers billed for nonexistent journeys and inflated mileage on precise journeys.
In line with the workplace of the Lawyer Normal, GPS information confirmed that drivers would submit claims whereas at house, on trip, or out of the state.
Chacon is a twin citizen of the USA and Costa Rica, and was in Costa Rica on the time the warrants have been issued for all suspects concerned within the scheme.
MFCU labored with ICE and the FBI, however Costa Rican officers declined to extradite Chacon, the workplace of the Lawyer Normal mentioned.
Twenty co-defendants have been arrested in October 2023.
Chacon is being held within the Orange County Jail and faces a felony cost of organized scheme to defraud.
