Medicaid Fraud Control Unit secures critical arrest in long-running $5 million healthcare fraud case
Florida – Under Attorney General James Uthmeier’s guidance, Florida’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has made a critical arrest in what appears to be a significant conclusion to a long-standing investigation. Marking a notable triumph for the state’s law enforcement, Joseph Chacon, the final of several defendants engaged in a complex Medicaid fraud scheme, was arrested at Orlando International Airport on April 23, 2025, the Florida Attorney General’s Office said in a release.
The arrest is the most recent in a string of judicial proceedings resulting from an extensive plot run by Jose Enrique Hernandez Fernandez, who ran Sweet Transportation, LLC. Contracted to deliver nonemergency medical transportation to Medicaid clients, this organization was at the center of a scam that obtained more than $5 million from the Florida Medicaid system. The con included charging for thousands of non-existent transportation services and overly high mileage claims for the few actual trips made.
The investigation found that Hernandez Fernandez and his staff falsified transportation records through GPS data manipulation. Records indicated that drivers would file claims while they were stationary at their homes, on vacation, or even located out of state, thus exploiting the Medicaid system’s trust and resources. This deceit not only defrauded taxpayers but also diverted essential resources from the very individuals Medicaid aims to support.
“This scheme defrauded Florida taxpayers and diverted resources meant for patients in need,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “With the arrest of the final defendant, justice is catching up to every individual who thought they could exploit the Medicaid system. Under my leadership, we will not tolerate fraud, waste, or abuse—and we will relentlessly pursue those who try to profit at the expense of the people of Florida.”
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A dual citizen of the United States and Costa Rica, Chacon had been in Costa Rica when the first warrants were issued. Costa Rican officials did not extradite him even with MFCU, ICE, and FBI cooperation. Vigilant border security and law enforcement cooperation caused his return to the United States and afterwards arrest.
Chacon, now in Orange County Jail, is charged with felony Organized Scheme to Defraud, therefore closing a major chapter in Florida’s battle against Medicaid fraud.
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Funded by federal and state money, including a major grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, the MFCU keeps its watchful eye on Medicaid-related operations. For the most vulnerable residents of the state, this unit is essential to the strategy to fight financial fraud and preserve the integrity of healthcare services. Through such strict enforcement actions and preventative policies, Florida confirms its dedication to maintaining the law and protecting public resources from abuse.
