The sentences imposed:

Rachel Betancourt, 42, of Edinburg, Texas – 27 months in prison and $96,955 in restitution
Dalia Cerda-Delgado, of Palmview, Texas – 24 months in prison and $38,925 in restitution
Lilly Perez, 32, of La Villa, Texas – 24 months in prison and $139,120 in restitution
Patricia Cerda-Flores, 44, of Palmview, Texas – 18 months in prison and $86,395 in restitution
Desiree Rodriguez, 34, of Edinburg, Texas – 17 months in prison and $109,450 in restitution
Maria C. Alaniz, 39, of Elsa, Texas – 15 months in prison and $88,340 in restitution
Jose Rodriguez, 34, of Edinburg, Texas – 15 months in prison and $102,335 in restitution
Ninfa Reyes, 38, of Edcouch, Texas – 12 months and one day in prison and $38,925 in restitution
Noemi Villareal, 60, of Edcouch, Texas – 12 months and one day in prison and $63,450 in restitution
Rebecca Castillo, 41, of Edinburg, Texas – eight months in prison and $17,510 in restitution

The 10 defendants pleaded guilty in August 2011, to one count of wire fraud. From 2005 through 2010, the defendants routinely delivered lists of fake accidents and injuries to two physicians in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

In exchange for a cash kickback of about $15 per report, the physicians prepared an “accident report” for each fake injury. The physicians falsely claimed that they provided treatment and prescribed medicine to the defendants. Over time, the defendants above faxed about 6,944 false injury claims and accident reports to Aflac in Columbus, Ga. The 10 defendants received various amounts of money from Aflac totaling $778,470.

Earlier in October, six of the defendants charged in the case were sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution by U.S. District Judge Randy Crane for periods ranging from six months to 12 months and one day. They include Idaleen Sanchez, 34, Valerio Ramos, 55, Rigoberto Ramirez, 30, Eddie Guerra, 35, Jose Guerra, 47, and Norma Sanchez, 40.

Special Reports /

False Injury Claims Land Texas Ten in Jail

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