Would-Be Physician With Business Ties To UFC Fighters Charged With Fraud
A would-be physician by the name of Francisco Patino has been arrested by authorities in Wayne County, Michigan and has been charged with superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of money laundering. Patino has been accused of attempting to defraud Medicare of $120 million in his scheme.
MMA Fighting reported the news, while also stating that Patino has also been charged with two counts of health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive health care kickbacks. The United States Department Of Justice also issued a press release on the arrest, which can be viewed by clicking here.
The would-be physician also allegedly has ties with several unnamed UFC fighters and UFC Hall Of Fame members. The relationship between the unnamed fighters and Patino has to do with sponsorship deals, although how much money was exchanged and exactly what kind of deals they are haven’t been released at this time.
Patino, according to the press release, was laundering the proceeds from a health care scheme and then using the resources to build up his image as a legitimate physician.
