A former Navy doctor who took part in a scheme to file false medical claims to a military insurance program in exchange for unearned benefits was sentenced Friday to one year and a day in federal prison.
Prosecutors say Coronado resident Michael Villarroel, 51, and his co-defendants bilked the Traumatic Servicemembers Groups Life Insurance Program out of around $2 million by submitting fraudulent claims for fake or exaggerated injuries or disabilities.
Villarroel received kickbacks in exchange for falsely stating that he determined servicemembers had legitimate injuries and provided medical records for use in the fabricated claims, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
When Villarroel pleaded guilty last year, his attorney said Villarroel “takes complete responsibility for his actions.”
Christopher Toups, a former chief petty officer who prosecutors say orchestrated the scheme, was sentenced earlier this year to 30 months in prison. Toups’ ex-wife, Kelene Meyer, was a nurse who falsified medical records to bolster the claims of fake injuries. She was sentenced to one year and a day in prison.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also said several defendants were stationed locally as part of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit One in Coronado.
