Texas doctor sentenced to 10 years in prison in one of the ‘most significant’ cases of patient harm
A Texas-based doctor was sentenced to 10 years in prison for healthcare fraud after carrying out a nearly two-decade scheme that involved falsely diagnosing thousands of patients with degenerative diseases. Jorge Zamora-Quezada, a rheumatologist licensed in multiple states before being stripped of his licenses, profited handsomely off the treatments he ordered for his patients, including chemotherapy, intravenous infusions, and other unnecessary procedures.
The sentencing, which followed earlier court appearances, shed light on Zamora-Quezada’s extravagant lifestyle, which included a private jet, multiple properties across the U.S. and Mexico, and a Maserati. Meanwhile, the health of the patients he defrauded continued to deteriorate, with some experiencing ongoing side effects from treatments they did not need.
Prosecutors accused Zamora-Quezada of preying on vulnerable individuals in Texas, including teenagers, elderly persons, and disabled individuals, to carry out his fraudulent scheme. Testimony from some of his victims highlighted the debilitating effects they suffered, such as strokes, jawbone necrosis, hair loss, and liver damage.
The Justice Department described Zamora-Quezada’s case as one of the most egregious instances of patient harm they had seen in years. His actions were particularly troubling because they targeted lower-income communities with limited access to medical care, exploiting their misfortune for personal gain.
Zamora-Quezada was convicted of healthcare fraud, conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, and obstruction of justice in 2020. Prosecutors detailed how he used the profits from his scheme to purchase luxury properties and vehicles, while falsely diagnosing the majority of his Medicare patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
The judge ordered Zamora-Quezada to pay $28 million in restitution, far less than the $100 million requested by prosecutors. His assets were forfeited after his charges, and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his fraudulent actions.
Despite requests for comment, Zamora-Quezada’s attorneys did not respond. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of healthcare fraud on patients and their families, as well as the importance of holding criminals like Zamora-Quezada accountable for their actions.
