Laguna Niguel Man Accused of Medicare Scam

A Laguna Niguel man has been charged with mail fraud for allegedly submitting $6.83 million in false Medicare claims, including some for people who were already dead, federal authorities said Tuesday.

Vincent M. Schuman, who allegedly ran Charles Schuman Medical Supply in Monarch Beach and Pyramed Medical Supply in Marina del Rey, was arrested by FBI agents Monday following an investigation that began in December 1997, according to Timothy P. McNally, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles division.

Schuman, 41, operated the medical supply companies between January 1995 and December 1997, submitting about 5,500 phony Medicare claims and receiving payment of more than $3.3 million, the statement said.

Federal agents also obtained warrants to seize goods that Schuman allegedly purchased with Medicare funds, including two homes, vehicles, grand pianos, jewelry and art work, McNally said.

To pull off the scheme, Schuman allegedly enrolled in a government program that authorized suppliers to receive reimbursement for a percentage of the medical equipment provided to Medicare beneficiaries, the statement said.

The companies allegedly obtained medical information for 32 beneficiaries. But six beneficiaries were dead during at least part of the time that the companies claimed to have provided them with medical supplies, authorities said.

And health care providers for 16 of the beneficiaries said “numerous patients” did not receive medical supplies from the companies, the statement said.