LOS ANGELES – A Filipino American physical therapist accused of participating in a multimillion-dollar health care fraud scheme in New York may be hiding in Manila, according to US authorities.
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General on Friday highlighted Conrado Lopez Jr., 51, in a “Fugitive Friday” social media post, saying he is wanted in connection with $2.8 million in fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims.
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“He may be in the Philippines or the UAE,” HHS-OIG said as it urged the public to submit tips.
Lopez, a licensed physical therapist, is listed among HHS-OIG’s most wanted fugitives. The agency said his possible whereabouts include Manila or the United Arab Emirates.
According to HHS-OIG, Lopez owned Total Rehab, a physical therapy clinic in Brooklyn, New York, and was allegedly an active participant in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid.
Federal investigators said Total Rehab submitted claims for services that were not provided and were not medically necessary.
Lopez admitted to its agents that he knowingly participated in the scheme, HHS-OIG said.
Investigators also said Lopez acknowledged that on several occasions, he was vacationing outside the United States but signed backdated billing records, known as “superbills,” upon his return for dates when he was away.
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