A federal jury has convicted Joseph Rodriguez, a Coral Springs laboratory executive, for his role in a COVID-19 testing scheme that billed Medicare $15.7 million for unnecessary blood tests.
The verdict was returned on October 6, 2026, following a trial that began September 30, according to the U.
S. Department of Justice.
Rodriguez was found guilty of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and six counts of health care fraud.
Scheme Targeted Elderly at Country Clubs
Court evidence showed that nearly 2,000 patients sought COVID-19 nasal swab and antibody tests during four months in 2020.
The testing events were held at nine residential country clubs in the West Palm Beach area, according to the Justice Department.
Rodriguez operated Phoenix Health and organized drive-through testing events through the company.
Prosecutors said patients were subjected to dozens or hundreds of additional blood tests, including hormone screenings and tests for arsenic, mercury and cadmium, without the required orders from doctors.
Medicare paid more than $500,000 of the claims submitted for those additional tests.
Rodriguez allegedly directed staff to draw extra blood and caused a doctor's name to be fraudulently listed on Medicare claims, according to court documents and trial evidence.
Complaints from patients, country club managers and a doctor were presented during the trial.
The Justice Department said the case demonstrated how vulnerable patients were exploited during the public health crisis.
"The defendant took advantage of patients desperate for COVID-19 tests at the height of the pandemic to bill Medicare for unnecessary blood tests," said Assistant Attorney General Colin M.
McDonald of the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division.
McDonald said federal authorities would continue prosecuting conduct involving alleged fraud during the pandemic.
"This case highlights a troubling scheme that took advantage of vulnerable patients who sought COVID-19 testing during a national public health crisis, only to be subjected to additional and unnecessary blood tests intended to increase profits," said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Miranda L.
Bennett of the U. S.
Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
Bennett said the conduct placed personal gain above the well-being of elderly individuals and threatened the integrity of the health care system.
HHS-OIG investigated the case with the FBI.
"This guilty verdict holds Joseph Rodriguez accountable for his role in a scheme that exploited patients and fraudulently billed Medicare for millions of dollars," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Brett D.
Skiles.
Skiles said the verdict reflected the evidence presented to jurors and the continuing efforts of federal agencies to protect patients and taxpayer funds.
Rodriguez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each count.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 2027, when a federal judge will consider the U. S.
Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
