Hector Almanza, 41, and Diana Almanza, 39, both of San Antonio, Texas, were charged by information with conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive health care kickbacks in connection with a hospice fraud scheme.

According to the allegations, the Almanzas paid marketers illegal kickbacks to secure Medicare beneficiary referrals to their company, Four Winds Hospice. These referrals led to the submission of $1,692,950 in false and fraudulent claims for hospice services that were obtained through illegal kickbacks and bribes, medically unnecessary, and not eligible for Medicare reimbursement. Medicare paid approximately $529,287 based on those claims.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Ethan Womble of the Texas Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chung of the Western District of Texas.