Miami clinic administrator admits fraud

MIAMI, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- The president of a Miami clinic for patients with human immunodeficiency virus pleaded guilty Tuesday to Medicare fraud, officials said.

Dilcia Marinez, 57, of Miami admitted her role in defrauding the program and laundering proceeds from the $14 million scheme, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement.

Marinez, who was president and director of G&S Medical Center Inc., admitted that in 2003 she worked with Carlos Benitez, Luis Benitez and Thomas McKenzie and others allegedly to run about $14 million in claims through the Medicare program for HIV infusion services that were never provided and services that were medically unnecessary. Marinez also admitted helping the brothers allegedly launder about $4 million in fraudulent proceeds by making checks out to sham marketing and management companies owned and controlled by the Benitezes.

In a related case, the Benitezes and their brother Jose were indicted June 11 for their alleged role in a $110 million HIV infusion and money laundering scheme involving at least 11 South Florida clinics.

All three Benitez brothers, the alleged owners of G&S, are fugitives, while McKenzie is being held for an Oct. 14 trial.