Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Ocean Search for Fraud Suspect Called Off

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
U.S. Coast Guard via Miami Herald
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

The search for an overdue boater wanted for Medicare fraud has been called off and officials suspect he has fled the country, the Miami Herald reports. Robert A. Garcia-Esquerro’s wife reported him missing May 4 to the U.S. Coast Guard, a day after he left the Key West Marina for a fishing trip.

 
Garcia-Esquerro is wanted on Medicare fraud charges related to his work at several Miami-Dade mental health clinics, according to the Herald.  One psychotherapy clinic, owned by his father, billed Medicare more than $10 million filed annually, the Herald reports.
 

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.