A Texas doctor who defrauded federal health programs of $28 million as part of a massive $118 million scheme has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, the Department of Justice announced.
Dr. Jorge Zamora-Quezada, a rheumatologist based in Mission, Texas, falsely diagnosed hundreds of healthy patients with rheumatoid arthritis and subjected them to costly, unnecessary — and sometimes dangerous — treatments. His scheme targeted Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, stealing millions in taxpayer dollars meant to support vulnerable Americans.
Prosecutors said Zamora-Quezada operated a years-long fraud out of his clinic, using his medical license and staff — many of whom were foreign workers dependent on their employment visas — to fuel a lifestyle of luxury. He purchased a Maserati GranTurismo, a private jet, and 13 properties across the U.S. and Mexico, all while exposing innocent patients to toxic medications with serious, sometimes permanent side effects.
“Dr. Zamora-Quezada funded his luxurious lifestyle for two decades by traumatizing his patients, abusing his employees, lying to insurers, and stealing taxpayer money,” DOJ Criminal Division head Matthew R. Galeotti said.
Delusions of Adequacy 