Florida Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Natacha Gonzalez, age 47, of Weston, Florida, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison after pleading guilty to Health Care Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.  Gonzalez was also ordered to pay $61,738.08 in restitution to various insurance companies.  United States District Court Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, presided.  

Evidence presented to the court established that Gonzalez owned a Florida business engaged in medical marketing.  Gonzalez brokered false prescriptions for compounded medications and received a profit when they were filled.

Gonzalez identified three doctors and obtained blank prescriptions in their names.  Gonzalez forged prescriptions by completing the blank prescriptions with drug names and the doctor’s information.  These forged prescriptions were then sent to a South Carolina pharmacy to be filled.  The pharmacy then billed insurers for these fraudulent prescriptions and received payment.  The pharmacy then sent a portion of the payment to Gonzalez.

“Fraud on our insurance companies raises health care costs for everyone,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the integrity of our health care system holding accountable those who seek to enrich themselves through unlawful kickback schemes.”

"This sentencing is the product of a thorough investigation and demonstrates the intent of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and our law enforcement partners to root out fraud and corruption involving medical professionals who put patients’ health at risk with criminal intent,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Craig, Jr., DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office.  “DCIS will continue to protect the integrity of the Department of Defense by targeting fraud, waste, and abuse that negatively impacts critical programs such as TRICARE."

Agents of the DCIS and the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command Major Procurement Fraud Unit – Atlanta investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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