Woman pays patients bribes as part of Medicare fraud in Miami-Dade

MIAMI – A 50-year-old woman stands accused of Medicare fraud after allegedly routinely paying patients bribes in Miami-Dade County.

Five Medicaid recipients allegedly identified Margelys Pino Moreira as the woman who paid them each between $200-$600 in bribes just for attending psychosocial rehabilitation services.

According to an arrest warrant signed by Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Miguel M. de la O on Tuesday, Moreira did so as the operations manager at the Hathor Wellcare Center, at 14269 SW 42 St.

“Moreira was the only person in charge of paying the kickbacks which were in cash placed inside a white envelope,” Ariel Perez, a law enforcement investigator for the Office of the Attorney General, wrote, according to the warrant.

According to Perez, between Jan. 1, 2020, and July 12, 2023, Moreira paid over $15,600 in bribes allegedly resulting in over $104,000 in claims billed to Medicaid.

Florida corporation records show Moreira was also the title vice president of Hathor Wellcare Center and the registered agent of the Hathor Investment Group.

Moreira appeared in bond court on Friday after Miami-Dade correctional officers booked her on Thursday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Moreira is facing a charge of Medicaid fraud/filing false claims. Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Alberto Milian was set to preside over the case. Her bond was set at $50,000.