El Paso business owner sentenced to five years for healthcare fraud conspiracy involving Medicaid and Medicare
El Paso, Texas – A 59-year-old El Paso woman, Edelmira Marquez, has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for her role in a healthcare fraud conspiracy. The sentencing took place in a federal court in El Paso following her guilty plea to engaging in fraudulent billing practices through her medical supply company.
Fraudulent Billing Scheme
Marquez owned Marquez Medical Supply, a durable medical equipment business in El Paso. According to court documents, she executed a scheme involving the substitution of lesser-valued medical items for higher-valued items, primarily continence supplies such as adult diapers, wipes, and bed liners. Despite providing lower-cost supplies to Medicaid and Medicare patients, Marquez billed Medicaid and Medicare for the higher-valued items, defrauding the programs out of substantial amounts.
Her actions resulted in financial losses to Medicaid totaling $1,739,608.59.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Marquez was summoned to court on December 21, 2023, and made her initial appearance on January 19, 2024. After being released on bond, she pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud on March 7, 2024. Upon sentencing, Marquez was immediately remanded into federal custody.
In addition to her five-year prison term, Marquez was fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $1,739,608.59 in restitution to Medicaid.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Jaime Esparza, announced the sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Kanof led the prosecution.
