Fourteen defendants have been charged with participating in an $8 million Medicare fraud scheme. Three therapy companies allegedly paid kickbacks to assisted living facilities and physicians to get patient referrals. According to the August 4, 2004 press release by United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, the therapy companies billed for unnecessary services for these patients and doctored documentation to support their billing. To hide the money obtained through this fraud ring, Ricardo Choi, Mark Anthony Mignott and Elliott Housley, owners of the therapy companies, allegedly transferred the money to off-shore accounts and to shell companies. Ricardo Choi, Mark Anthony Mignott, Craig L. Marks, Elliott Housley, Maria Hernandez, Rosario Andino, a/k/a “Roscoe”, Shawn Frazer, Rene De Lamar, Gary Blumberg, Rosa Rodriguez, Ana Fernandez, Rosa Ginart, Alberto Gonzalez, and Norberto Malvarez were charged in the indictment. Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service participated in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Nicholson.