Valley doctor sentenced for falsely diagnosing patients

MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A doctor from Mission was sentenced to 10 years in prison for falsely diagnosing patients and defrauding insurers, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Federal authorities say the health care fraud scheme involved over $118 million in false claims and the payment of over $28 million by insurers.

Jorge Zamora-Quezada, 68, a former rheumatologist, falsely diagnosed patients with chronic illnesses to bill for tests and treatments that the patients did not need.

Evidence presented at trial shows the false diagnoses made patients believe they had a condition that required regular procedures with deadly side effects.

Side effects from the medicine including strokes, necrosis of the jawbone, hair loss, liver damage, and pain so severe that basic tasks of everyday life became difficult. 

"Constantly being in bed and being unable to get up from bed alone, and being pumped with medication, I didn’t feel like my life had any meaning," one patient testified.

Additional evidence revealed Zamora-Quezada misdiagnosed patients for financial gain.

"Dr. Zamora-Quezada funded his luxurious lifestyle for two decades by traumatizing his patients, abusing his employees, lying to insurers, and stealing taxpayer money," said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. 

Following a 25-day trial, Zamora-Quezada was convicted on nine counts.

• One count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud
• One count of conspiracy to obstruct justice
• Seven counts of health care fraud

Zamora-Quezada was ordered to forfeit $28 million, including 13 real estate properties, a jet, and a Maserati Gran Turismo.

Photo courtesy of U.S Department of Justice

Photo courtesy of U.S Department of Justice