McALLEN, Texas — Prosecutors say the owners of two South Texas medical companies have pleaded guilty in a kickbacks scheme for patient referrals.
A federal judge in McAllen has set a July 25 sentencing date for 46-year-old Pedro "Pete" Medrano of Weslaco.
Medrano pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to violate anti-kickback laws. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Medrano operates Go DME Inc., formerly All Valley Medical Supply of Pharr.
Investigators say Medrano since 2009 authorized illegal payments to Alicia Vasquez of David's Star Loving Vision. Vasquez has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and awaits sentencing.
Earlier Tuesday, Jose "Joe" Trevino pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback law in another case of payments to Vasquez. Trevino, who owns Med-Quick Diagnostics in Weslaco, faces sentencing in July.