A federal jury in the Southern District of Florida convicted Joseph Rodriguez, 58, of Coral Springs of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and six counts of health care fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Rodriguez was a vice president at a testing laboratory and owned Phoenix Health, a marketing company.
Prosecutors said Rodriguez organized drive-through COVID-19 testing events at residential country clubs in the West Palm Beach area. Patients who came in for nasal swab and antibody tests also received dozens or even hundreds of blood tests they did not request or need, including screenings for hormones and heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury and cadmium.
No doctor ordered the extra tests, according to the Justice Department, but Medicare received claims describing them as medically necessary. Prosecutors said Rodriguez promoted the events, told staff to draw extra blood and caused a doctor’s name to be listed on claims without authorization.
The scheme involved nearly 2,000 patients at nine clubs over about four months. Authorities said Medicare was billed more than $15 million and paid more than $500,000. Trial evidence included patient complaints, questions from club managers about the added testing, and a complaint from a doctor whose name was used on claims.
Rodriguez faces up to 10 years in prison on each count. Sentencing is expected in January 2027, and a federal judge will decide the sentence under federal guidelines and other statutory factors.
