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Harlingen business operators charged in multi-million dollar power wheelchair fraud scheme

Aug 30, 2023 · Sourced to the U.S. Department of Justice

The charges described here are allegations. The defendant(s) are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. This page reflects only what the Department of Justice has publicly announced, and links to the original release.

The operators of a durable medical equipment company have been charged with defrauding Medicare

Announced

Aug 30, 2023

Status

Charged

Defendants

  • Maria Luisa Yzaguirreage 43 · Harlingen, Texas · indicted
  • Jeremiah Yzaguirreage 44 · Harlingen, Texas · indicted

Charges

  • Conspiracy to commit health care fraud

    Max: 10 years in prisonMaria Luisa Yzaguirre· indicted

  • Conspiracy to commit health care fraud

    Max: 10 years in prisonJeremiah Yzaguirre· indicted

  • Aggravated identity theft

    Max: mandatory two years for each count, served consecutivelyMaria Luisa Yzaguirre· indicted

  • Aggravated identity theft

    Max: mandatory two years for each count, served consecutivelyJeremiah Yzaguirre· indicted

  • Money laundering

    Max: 10 years in prisonMaria Luisa Yzaguirre· indicted

  • Money laundering

    Max: 10 years in prisonJeremiah Yzaguirre· indicted

Financial actions

  • fraudulent claims: $14 millionClaims submitted to Medicare for power wheelchairs, power scooters, parts and repairs for 37 individuals between 2019 and 2023
  • fraudulent claims: $600,000Billed Medicare more than $600,000 for parts and repairs for one Medicare beneficiary
  • fraudulent claims: $736,072Billed Medicare approximately $736,072 in parts and repairs for one patient

Investigating agencies

Federal Bureau of InvestigationDepartment of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector GeneralTexas Health and Human ServicesTexas Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control UnitTexas Department of InsuranceU.S. Attorney's Office

Case details

Prosecuting office
Southern District of Texas
Judge
Ignacio Torteya III, U.S. Magistrate Judge
Aggravated Identity TheftCryptocurrencyDurable Medical Equipment FraudHealth Care FraudInteragency Law Enforcement CooperationMoney Laundering

Primary source

Every fact above is drawn from the Department of Justice's own announcement — a public-domain government record.

Read the original DOJ release →

This is a research and reference page compiled from public DOJ announcements, not legal advice. Details reflect the government's statements as of its release date and may not capture later developments such as appeals, dismissals, or overturned convictions. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.