A 68-year-old rheumatologist from South Texas, Dr. Jorge Zamora-Quezada, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for orchestrating a massive healthcare fraud scheme that involved falsely diagnosing patients with chronic autoimmune conditions over nearly two decades. The scheme, which allowed Zamora-Quezada to bill for unnecessary treatments and procedures, resulted in over $118 million in fraudulent claims to public and private insurers.
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that Zamora-Quezada’s sentence includes three years of supervised release and a forfeiture order of $28.2 million in assets, including luxury properties, a private jet, and a Maserati GranTurismo, all allegedly acquired through the proceeds of the fraudulent activities.
Prosecutors detailed how Zamora-Quezada’s clinics in South Texas and San Antonio were central to the scam, where he misdiagnosed patients, including minors, with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Through these false diagnoses, the doctor billed for costly and unnecessary tests and treatments, such as infusions, injections, x-rays, and MRIs.
Patients who fell victim to Zamora-Quezada’s fraudulent practices suffered severe side effects, including strokes, liver damage, and necrosis of the jawbone, among others. Some patients testified that the misdiagnoses drastically altered their lives, leading to long-term physical and emotional harm.
Former employees of Zamora-Quezada’s clinics described a toxic work environment where staff were pressured to meet quotas for procedures. The doctor, who referred to himself as “the eminence,” reportedly retaliated against employees who questioned his unethical practices and even used threats regarding their immigration status to maintain control.
The investigation into Zamora-Quezada’s fraudulent activities involved multiple federal and state agencies, including the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. As a result of his conviction, Zamora-Quezada’s medical licenses in Texas, Arizona, and Massachusetts have been revoked.
Commenting on the case, Matthew R. Galeotti of the DOJ’s Criminal Division emphasized the accountability of medical professionals and the commitment to pursue those who exploit vulnerable patients for personal gain. The DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, which oversaw the prosecution, has targeted numerous similar cases, totaling billions in fraudulent claims since its inception in 2007.
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