Attorneys for a Texas physician convicted in January in a $325 million health care fraud scheme requested this month for an earlier sentencing date for Dr. Jorge Zamora-Quezada. A jury found the disgraced physician guilty of seven counts of health care fraud and one count each of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. An initial sentencing date was scheduled in March 2021.
According to the federal indictment, Zamora-Quezada operated his illicit plan since 2000, targeting patients who were elderly, disabled and some as young as 13. The physician intentionally misdiagnosed patients who had rheumatoid arthritis and other degenerative diseases. He then overtreated them through chemotherapy and other unnecessary drugs. Some of Zamora-Quezada’s patients testified that the false diagnoses, lengthy intravenous infusions and chemotherapy led to physical and emotional harm.
Bilked millions from government to fund lavish lifestyle
By bilking millions from government-backed insurance programs such as Medicaid, Medicare and Tricare, the 63-year-old Zamora-Quezada was able to lead a lavish life, owning a private jet, two luxury sports cars and condos and penthouses in the United States and Mexico. Zamora-Quezada, who lived in Mission, Texas, operated pharmacies and clinics in Edinburg, Brownsville and San Antonio.
The jury acquitted two others associated with Zamora-Quezada’s office. The federal government did not prove its cases against the physician’s wife Meisy Zamora and his former billing manager Estella Natera, found not guilty of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
Besides requesting an earlier sentencing date, Zamora-Quezada’s attorneys also seek an additional court date to determine monetary losses due to the health care fraud.