Justice Department says two sentenced in VA kickback scheme
The Justice Department said two Florida men were sentenced for paying and receiving illegal health care kickbacks tied to veterans’ care. The announcement was released Nov. 5, 2026.
According to court documents, Heriberto Rivera, 43, of Orlando, the CEO of Family Integrative Medicine of Orlando, LLC (FIMO), paid illegal kickbacks and bribes to Laurent Cassagnol, 43, of Orlando. The department said Cassagnol, an Advanced Medical Support Assistant for the VA Community Care Program (VACCP), used his position to steer veterans and their families to FIMO for acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, and other holistic medical services.
Rivera was sentenced to 13 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $515,542. Cassagnol was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to forfeit $175,172. The department said the forfeiture amounts represented the proceeds the defendants obtained from the offense.
The department said the scheme led to over $14 million in fraudulent claims submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and VACCP, of which over $11 million was paid. It also said Cassagnol was a vital point of contact between veterans and the VA health care system, and that both defendants put profit before the needs of VA patients.
The Justice Department said the investigation began with a complaint to the VA Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) fraud hotline. The FBI and VA-OIG investigated the case. Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division; Special Agent in Charge Rodney E. Crawford of the FBI Tampa Field Office; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Josh Lollar of the VA-OIG Southeast Field Office made the announcement.
The department said Trial Attorneys Jody King and Angela Benoit of the Fraud Division’s Health Care Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The department said it announced the creation of the Fraud Division on April 7 and that the division is focused on investigating and prosecuting fraud against the public. It also said the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, which operates in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants since 2007 who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion.
