Man Ordered to Pay $2 Million for DME Kickback Scheme

WISCONSIN—Michael G.V. Comino was sentenced to 22 months; imprisonment for conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Comino was also ordered to pay over $2 million in restitution to Medicare.

According to court records, Comino and his co-defendant owned Kestrel Medical LLC, a company that supplied durable medical equipment (DME), such as orthotic devices, including braces for ankles, knees, backs and shoulders. Beginning in August 2019, Comino began providing “leads” or signed doctors’ orders to Kestrel in exchange for kickback payments to two companies he owned. Comino became a 50% owner of Kestrel in approximately February 2020, after which he continued to offer and pay kickbacks for signed doctors’ orders. 

Comino and his co-defendant concealed the nature of the kickback payments by paying invoices for marketing hours. As a result of the conspiracy, Medicare paid over $2 million to Kestrel. Comino personally received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Kestrel in 2019 and 2020.

“The United States Attorney Office prioritizes efforts to stop health care fraud and will continue to hold accountable individuals who intentionally misuse Medicare and Medicaid dollars,” said Richard G. Frohling, acting United States attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “The restitution order and prison sentence in this case underscore that providers of medical equipment and supplies cannot engage in unlawful schemes that put their interests ahead of those of the American taxpayer.”  

“Individuals like Mr. Comino must face the consequences of their actions that defrauded the American people and wasted taxpayer money,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in charge Michael Hensle. “This case sends a clear message that health care kickback schemes won’t be tolerated. The FBI will continue to work vigorously with our partners to combat and prevent health care fraud.”