Jury Convicts Los Angeles Physician Assistant for Stealing Doctor's Identity and Defrauding Medicare in $7.7 Mill...( WASHINGTON July 1 -- A federal jury ...),Health

WASHINGTON, July 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted a physician assistant late yesterday for his role in a $7.7 million Medicare fraud scheme, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien of the Central District of California and Inspector General Daniel R. Levinson of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).

After a seven-day trial in federal court in Los Angeles, a jury found Ronald Luis Bradshaw, 59, guilty on all charged counts, including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, multiple counts of health fraud and aggravated identity theft for prescribing medically unnecessary durable medical equipment to hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries under the stolen identity of a doctor.

"At the core of Medicare fraud schemes, individuals place personal greed above providing legitimate medical care. In this case, the defendant not only defrauded the Medicare program, he also stole the identification of a doctor to do it," said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer. "The jury's conviction sends a message to health care providers committing Medicare fraud - American taxpayers will not tolerate abuse of a program intended to benefit the elderly and disabled."

"Fraud against public health care programs not only robs taxpayers but also adversely affects millions of legitimate patients in need of the services and equipment to improve their lives," said U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien. "For years we have pursued fraudsters who attempt to exploit the health care system for their own personal gain. Now, we have another example of an unscrupulous provider being brought to justice."

"Today's conviction is another milestone for our Medicare Fraud Strike Force here in Los Angeles," said Glenn R. Ferry, Special Agent-in-Charge for the Los Angeles Region of the Office of Inspector General for th
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