Chicago – June 14, 2026
A Texas rheumatologist has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for orchestrating one of the most egregious healthcare fraud cases in U.S. history, falsely diagnosing thousands of patients with chronic diseases to bill for unnecessary treatments.
Dr. Jorge Zamora-Quezada, 68, of Mission, Texas, was convicted in 2020 for his role in a $325 million health care fraud scheme spanning nearly two decades (2000-2018). He falsely diagnosed patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other lifelong conditions, then administered toxic medications including chemotherapy and IV infusions they didn’t need.
The fraud involved over $118 million in false claims, with insurers paying more than $28 million as a result. Zamora-Quezada used the fraudulent money to fund a luxurious lifestyle, including purchases of a private jet, 13 real estate properties, and a Maserati GranTurismo sports car.
He was convicted of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, seven counts of healthcare fraud, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. In addition to his prison term, he was ordered to forfeit $28.2 million. His medical license was revoked in 2021 by the Texas Medical Board.
The case represents one of the most significant instances of patient harm in healthcare fraud history.
