Chad Monroe, 48, of Tarpon Springs, Florida, pleaded guilty on Nov. 13, 2026, to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of wire fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice said, in connection with a $42 million Medicare fraud scheme.
Prosecutors said Monroe and associates opened three durable medical equipment companies that submitted more than $26 million in false claims to Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans and TRICARE. The claims covered items including knee, wrist, ankle and back braces, as well as genetic testing that beneficiaries did not want or need.
Kickbacks and loan fraud
Monroe paid illegal kickbacks to telemedicine companies for doctors’ orders, according to the Justice Department. He also received more than $15 million in kickbacks through his company Health and Life Networking LLC by selling genetic testing orders to laboratories.
In addition, Monroe directed a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan application for more than $30,000 by misrepresenting ownership of one of the DME companies.
Seized luxury assets
Authorities said proceeds from the scheme funded purchases including a 47-foot yacht named “The Rogue Shark,” valued at more than $600,000, a Cadillac Escalade and other luxury vehicles. Those assets were seized, along with more than $1 million.
Potential penalties
Monroe faces up to 10 years in prison on the health care fraud conspiracy count and up to 30 years on the wire fraud charge. Investigators from HHS-OIG, the FBI, DCIS and IRS-CI handled the case.
