Santa Ana police arrested a suspect on Tuesday on suspicion of taking kickbacks and luring new patients into sober living homes, what is also known as “body brokering,” said Southern California authorities.
Body Brokering
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested 27-year-old Darius Moore. He faces a federal charge of solicitation and receipt of payment for the alleged crime. The U.S. attorney’s office said if Moore is convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison.
Federal prosecutors said the suspect was able to get more than $350,000 for taking new clients to four rehabilitation facilities in Orange County. The facilities then billed health insurers for the money.
Authorities believe Moore is a fake company to cover up the kickbacks through falsified contracts for marketing services. “Patient brokering has created a situation where substance abusers with no desire to stop using drugs are able to gain income from their insurance benefits by periodically participating in treatment programs,” a case affidavit said.
Police said they did not make any arrest on any of the residents of the rehabilitation facilities, the Associated Press reported.
