A Coral Springs man, Joseph Rodriguez, 50, was found guilty in federal court on conspiracy to commit health care fraud and six counts of health care fraud tied to a COVID-19 testing scheme in the West Palm Beach area.

Rodriguez, 58, was convicted for coordinating misbranded COVID-19 testing events that billed Medicare for unnecessary blood tests.

Testimony and trial evidence showed complaints from patients, doctors, and country club managers about the unnecessary tests.

Evidence included a doctor whose name appeared on thousands of dollars in tests, highlighting the fraudulent claims.

During the early pandemic, drive-through testing events were held at nine West Palm Beach country clubs, with nasal swabs and blood antibody tests plus dozens of unnecessary blood tests.

Rodriguez served as vice president of a testing laboratory and owned Phoenix Health, a marketing firm that organized the events.

He also owned Phoenix Health Rising, LLC, marketing drive-through testing at residential country clubs during the pandemic.

Nearly 2,000 patients participated over about four months, with Medicare billing surpassing $15 million and payments topping $500,000.

Rodriguez directed staff to collect extra blood and created fraudulently listed physician names to facilitate Medicare claims.

The scheme added unnecessary blood tests—including hormone and heavy-metal screens—without physician orders, yet Medicare claims claimed medical necessity.

Rodriguez faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each charge, with sentencing expected in January 2027.