Feds capture Santeria priest accused of Medicare fraud in Ecuador after 2 years on the lam

Medicare fraud suspect caught after 2 years on lam

MIAMI — A Miami man accused of bilking Medicare out of millions of dollars has been arrested in Ecuador two years after he allegedly fled.

Federal authorities found Fermin Rey, a Santeria high priest, last week in Quito. He was indicted in 2007 as the owner of clinics that bilked Medicare out of $5.2 million in bogus medical equipment claims.

Rey fled shortly after the indictment. Rey’s case is among those that have caused judges to rethink bond for Medicare fraud suspects in South Florida because it is easy to flee. Of South Florida’s 50 fugitives in health care fraud, authorities say dozens have fled to Cuba.

Rey’s trial is scheduled for March. A telephone call to his lawyer was not immediately returned Tuesday.