Willie F. Murray Jr., 55, of West Park, Florida, was sentenced today to more than five years in federal prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced. Additionally, U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven ordered Murray to forfeit assets including $5.67 million in cash, over $1.5 million from a bank account, and six real estate properties across Florida.
Murray was the registered agent and manager of Lab Tess, LLC, a Florida company that claimed to provide COVID-19 testing services. However, the company did not provide such services. Instead, Murray orchestrated a fraudulent scheme by submitting false claims to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for reimbursement for COVID-19 testing purportedly provided to uninsured individuals.
To carry out the fraud, Murray used personal identifying information from incarcerated individuals, homeless individuals, people falsely reported as tested at electrical substations, and deceased persons. Over the course of the scheme, Murray submitted more than 126,000 fraudulent claims and received approximately $5.67 million in reimbursements.
He used these illicit funds to purchase real estate properties in South Florida, luxury goods, and cover personal expenses. Murray’s actions have resulted in significant financial loss, and the court’s decision includes the forfeiture of his fraudulent gains.
Anyone with information regarding attempted fraud in connection with COVID-19 can report it to the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721.