HOUSTON – The owner of multiple diagnostic businesses and a durable medical equipment company has been ordered to federal prison in relation to the Team Work Ready (TMR) health care fraud conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Mark Edward Farias, 48, of Houston pleaded guilty April 17, 2017, admitting to a conspiracy to pay kickbacks, health care fraud as well as money laundering.

Today, U.S. District Judge Gray Miller handed Farias a 68-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, Judge Miller denied Farias’ request for probation and considered the duration of his criminal activity, the repetitive nature of the crime and the $4,122,980 his companies billed. The court also ordered Farias to pay $2,790,704 in restitution to the Department of Labor Office of Worker’s Compensation who administers the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) health insurance program.

U.S. Postal Service - Office of Inspector General (OIG), Department of Labor – OIG, IRS – Criminal Investigation, Department of Veterans Affairs - OIG and Department of Homeland Security – OIG conducted the joint investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Redlinger is prosecuting the case.