A Russian national pleaded guilty Friday in federal court in West Palm Beach to conspiracy to commit money laundering in a Medicare fraud scheme rooted in Palm Beach County. Nika Machutadze, 29, entered the plea through a translator. It is the first conviction in a case WPTV has followed since last year.
Machutadze is linked to Sunshine Senior Solutions, a medical equipment company based in Delray Beach. He admitted under oath to laundering more than $7 million. Federal prosecutors said the company billed insurers for more than $3 billion, though only a fraction was paid. Machutadze admitted opening bank accounts for Sunshine Senior Solutions and a similar business in Texas, and sending some of the insurer payments overseas.
He faces up to 20 years in prison, plus fines, restitution and deportation. His attorney, Tony Mirvis, said his client believed he was only taking a job and described him as a lower-level participant who was paid very little. Mirvis said his client will not cooperate with federal investigators in other prosecutions.
Court filings also name Ibrahim Hilmi, who is tied to the same company and is scheduled for trial in February, along with an unnamed co-conspirator.
Seniors who received Medicare statements for equipment they said they never needed or received contacted the station last year. Laura Carmine of Illinois and Mike Parrett of Ohio said they were glad to hear of the plea.
