Close Menu
  • Home
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • THINGS TO DO
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • Contact
Facebook
Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Niceville.com
Niceville.com
Home»FLORIDA NEWS»Florida chiropractor, surgeon, sentenced for stealing $31 million from Medicare
FLORIDA NEWS

Florida chiropractor, surgeon, sentenced for stealing $31 million from Medicare

Niceville.comApril 24, 20232 Mins Read
Federal Correctional Institution prison. fence and razor wire. black and white image
Federal prison. (File photo)

FLORIDA – Two Florida doctors have been sentenced for stealing $31 million from Medicare.

A chiropractor and an orthopedic surgeon have been sentenced for their respective roles in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting over $31 million in claims for expensive durable medical equipment (DME) that Medicare beneficiaries did not want or need and that were procured through the payment of kickbacks, said the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Dean Zusmer, 54, of Miami, was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison and ordered to pay $1,404,200.97 in restitution.

Dr. Lawrence Alexander, 45, of Miami, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. Restitution will be determined at a later hearing.

According to court documents, Zusmer was a chiropractor who conspired with others to steal millions of dollars from Medicare. Zusmer owned one of four DME companies that collectively billed Medicare over $31 million for medically unnecessary DME, of which over $15 million was paid.

Zusmer and his co-conspirators, including Jeremy Waxman, acquired patient referrals and signed doctors’ orders by paying kickbacks to marketers who used overseas call centers to solicit patients and telemedicine companies to procure prescriptions for unnecessary braces for these patients, the DOJ said.

According to the DOJ, Alexander was an orthopedic surgeon who owned one of the DME companies with Waxman. He concealed his and Waxman’s roles in the scheme by putting the DME company in the name of one of Alexander’s family members.

In January 2023, Zusmer was convicted after trial of multiple health care fraud-related offenses and for making a false statement relating to health care matters; Alexander was convicted of making a false statement relating to health care matters.

Waxman was previously sentenced to over 15 years in prison for his role in the scheme.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Catherine Wagner, Patrick Queenan, Meredith Hough, Jamie de Boer, and Keith Clouser of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleGiant aircraft, heavy equipment used in cargo load training at Eglin [PHOTOS]
Next Article Florida driver accused of attempted murder in alleged road rage shooting

Related Posts

Truck bed filled with alcohol containers seized by deputies during Spring Break

Spring Break crackdown: 664 students cited for underage drinking in Okaloosa

May 5, 2025
walton county sheriff's office crime and safety report

Two men arrested after late-night doorbell scare in DeFuniak

May 5, 2025
Police vehicle with emergency lights flashing at night.

Tourist shot in Miramar Beach, suspects flee to Georgia, get caught

May 5, 2025
A square digital ad for Midbay Veterinary Hospital with multiple dogs of different breeds, a blue veterinary cross logo, Dr. Maya Chapman’s contact information, and a “Click” button for scheduling an appointment.
Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
  • EGLIN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
  • EYEWEAR UNLIMITED
  • HAIR EXPRESS
  • MIDBAY VETERINARY HOSPITAL
  • NICEVILLE FARMERS MARKET
  • NICEVILLE INSURANCE AGENCY
  • RUCKEL PROPERTIES, INC.
  • THE WHARF 850
A square digital ad for Midbay Veterinary Hospital with multiple dogs of different breeds, a blue veterinary cross logo, Dr. Maya Chapman’s contact information, and a “Click” button for scheduling an appointment.
Categories
  • COMMUNITY NEWS
  • CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
  • FLORIDA NEWS
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • IT'S GEEK TO ME
  • LARRY WILLIAMS
  • LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
  • MARKETPLACE NEWS
  • MILITARY NEWS
  • NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEWS
  • OUTDOORS
  • ROADS / TRANSPORTATION
  • SCHOOL NEWS
  • THINGS TO DO
The Wharf 850 Niceville, Florida
The Wharf 850 Niceville, Florida

ABOUT NICEVILLE.COM

PRIVACY POLICY

TERMS OF SERVICE

© 2025 Niceville.com. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.