Florida Woman Convicted in $8.6 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme Involving Unwanted Medical Braces

October 28, 2026

A federal jury has convicted a Gainesville, Florida, woman for participating in a Medicare fraud scheme that generated more than $8.6 million in fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary orthotic braces, according to an October 27 announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sophie Dufort, 57, owned one durable medical equipment company and managed several others involved in the scheme. Federal prosecutors said the operation targeted older adults and people with disabilities, using deceptive telemarketing practices and fraudulent prescriptions to bill Medicare for braces that patients had neither requested nor needed.

Dufort was convicted on multiple federal fraud and kickback charges and is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2027.

Fraudulent Prescriptions Used to Bill Medicare Millions

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dufort conspired with Paula Pirone, 70, of Ocala, Florida, and others to obtain fraudulent prescriptions for orthotic braces.

The operation relied on marketing companies that used high-pressure and manipulative telemarketing calls to collect Medicare beneficiaries’ personal information.

Prosecutors said some calls were fabricated, and the marketing companies obtained prescriptions by paying medical practitioners to sign orders without examining patients or by using stolen physician credentials to forge prescriptions.

Those prescriptions were then sold to durable medical equipment companies operated or managed by Dufort and her co-conspirators.

The companies shipped braces to Medicare beneficiaries and submitted claims for reimbursement, even when patients had not requested the equipment and had never been evaluated to determine whether the braces were medically necessary.

Unwanted Braces Could Pose Safety Risks to Older Patients

The scheme raised concerns beyond financial fraud.

According to the Justice Department, a medical expert testified that certain combinations of braces provided through the operation could be dangerous for elderly patients.

Some beneficiaries complained about receiving equipment they did not need and attempted to return it.

Rather than accepting returns, individuals involved in the scheme instructed beneficiaries to discard the braces or give them to someone else.

Prosecutors said this practice helped the companies avoid returning money to Medicare.

Dufort Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison on the Most Serious Charge

A federal jury convicted Dufort of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, two counts of health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and to offer and pay illegal kickbacks, and one count of offering and paying illegal kickbacks.

The conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

The health care fraud and kickback counts carry maximum penalties of 10 years each, while the conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay illegal kickbacks carries a maximum penalty of five years.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 2027. A federal district court judge will determine Dufort’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other applicable factors.

The case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the FBI.

Medicare Beneficiaries Should Watch for Unsolicited Medical Equipment

The case highlights how Medicare beneficiaries can become targets of fraudulent medical equipment schemes.

Unexpected deliveries of braces, medical supplies, or other equipment may warrant closer examination, particularly when a beneficiary never requested the items or received a prescription from their healthcare provider.

Beneficiaries should review their Medicare Summary Notices or insurance statements for unfamiliar equipment charges and report suspicious activity.

The HHS Office of Inspector General provides resources for reporting suspected Medicare fraud, while beneficiaries can contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

People who receive unsolicited medical equipment should avoid using it without medical guidance and contact Medicare or their health plan to determine whether fraudulent claims have been submitted.