John Ageudo Rodriguez, a 55-year-old licensed pharmacist from McAllen, pleaded guilty to his involvement in a $110 million kickback scheme. The conspiracy centered on offering financial incentives for prescription referrals of expensive compound drugs. Rodriguez admitted to paying over $24 million in kickbacks to marketers with ties to healthcare providers, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Rodriguez, the owner of Pharr Family Pharmacy, exploited illicit payouts by billing over $110 million to federal health care programs between 2014 and 2016. In a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, "Rodriguez admitted he paid kickbacks in excess of $24 million to various marketers." The scheme also involved multiple marketers who pleaded guilty. Rodriguez, set to be sentenced on March 25, faces up to five years in federal prison and a potential fine of up to $250,000. His bond remains in place while awaiting sentencing, as granted by Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane.
Multiple agencies collaborated in the investigation leading to Rodriguez's plea, including the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, Department of Labor – OIG, FBI, Department of Defense – Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Veteran Affairs – OIG, as well as both the Department of Health and Human Services and Texas Health and Human Services – OIG. Assistant U.S. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Swartz is handling the prosecution of Rodriguez, who is accused of defrauding federal health care benefit programs by billing over $110 million. The sentencing will hold accountable those involved in exploiting the health care system and taxpayer funds, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
