TALLAHASSY, Fla. (WFLA) — The end-person has been arrested for plotting to fraudulent Florida Damedicaid program over $5 million in fraud, Attorney General James Usmier said.
AG’s Medicaid fraud control unit arrested and charged final member Joseph Chacon. Chacon was arrested on April 23, 2025 on an unpaid warrant at Orlando International Airport.
According to the MFCU, the investigation revealed that the fraud scheme was led by Jose Enrique Hernandez Fernandez, and the defendant ran a non-emergency medical transport service that charged Medicaid thousands of trips.
“The scheme fraudulent Florida taxpayers and diverted resources targeting patients in need,” Attorney General James Usmier said. “With the arrest of the final defendant, justice has caught up with all individuals who thought the Medicaid system could be used. Under my leadership, I will not tolerate fraud, waste, or abuse, and I will mercilessly pursue those who seek to benefit at the expense of the people of Florida.”
Hernandez Fernandez owns Sweet Transportation, LLC, a company that has contracted to provide non-emergency medical transport to Medicaid beneficiaries, the Attorney General said.
For at least two years, Hernandez Fernandez and his employer charged travel and inflated mileage that were not present in actual travel.
According to the Attorney General’s office, GPS data showed drivers submit claims at home, on vacation or out of state.
Chacon is a dual citizen of the United States and Costa Rica and was in Costa Rica when warrants were issued for all suspects involved in the scheme.
MFCU worked with ICE and the FBI, but Costa Rican officials refused to hand over the Chacon, the attorney general said.
In October 2023, 20 co-defendants were arrested.
Chacon is being held at the Orange County Jail and faces felony charges of a scheme organized for fraud.
