A 50-year-old woman, Margelys Pino Moreira, is facing accusations of Medicare fraud after allegedly paying bribes to patients in Miami-Dade County. Five Medicaid recipients reported that Moreira paid them between $200 and $600 each for merely attending psychosocial rehabilitation services.
According to an arrest warrant signed by Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Miguel M. de la O, Moreira served as the operations manager at the Hathor Wellcare Center, located at 14269 SW 42 St.
“Ariel Perez, an investigator with the Office of the Attorney General, stated that Moreira was solely responsible for distributing kickbacks, which were paid in cash and placed inside white envelopes,” the warrant details.
Between January 1, 2020, and July 12, 2023, Moreira allegedly paid over $15,600 in bribes, leading to more than $104,000 in claims billed to Medicaid. Florida corporation records indicate that she also held the title of vice president at the Hathor Wellcare Center and was the registered agent of the Hathor Investment Group.
Moreira was booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Thursday and appeared in bond court on Friday. She is charged with Medicaid fraud and filing false claims, with her bond set at $50,000. The case is presided over by Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Alberto Milian.
This case comes amid broader investigations announced by Attorney General Merrick Garland, targeting healthcare fraud schemes across the U.S., including a Florida operation involving misbranded HIV drugs.