Authorities foil suspected fraudster’s Jet Ski-assisted getaway
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An attempt by a Florida business owner accused of health care fraud to flee to Cuba is dead in the water after U.S. agents caught him on a Jet Ski south of Key West.
According to federal prosecutors, Ernesto Cruz Graveran, owner of Hialeah, Florida-based Xiko Enterprises Inc., was awaiting trial on charges he submitted $4.2 million in fraudulent health care claims to Medicare for medical equipment that was never requested nor delivered to beneficiaries.
The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found Mr. Graveran headed for Cuba on a broken-down Jet Ski accompanied by an alleged “alien smuggler,” according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
The Jet Ski was outfitted with a special fuel cell for longer trips, but he was still found 90 miles short of his alleged destination.
On Tuesday, a magistrate ruled that Mr. Graveran should not be released on bond and should remain detained on dry land until his trial.
