Doctors at LH pain clinic plead guilty to multimillion-dollar fraud

Twin brothers Desi and Deno Barroga pleaded guilty Tuesday to defrauding insurance companies in a multimillion-dollar healthcare scheme, the Dallas Morning News reports. The doctors ran a Lake Highlands pain management clinic, where they gave patients fake injections.

The Barrogas, 51, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. They admitted to submitting claims for corticosteroid injections they never administered.

Patients sought help from the Barrogas for a variety of conditions including joint pain, arthritis and sciatica. The brothers required monthly visits to their office at Greenville and Walnut Hill for pain management drugs, including hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine. Instead, the doctors mimicked injections without piercing the skin and submitted false insurance claims, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. After patient visits, they created fake medical records to support their claims.

The Barrogas admitted to billing United Healthcare, Cigna and Blue Cross Blue Shield at least $45 million and keeping at least $9 million from 2016 to 2022. Each faces up to 10 years in federal prison. They agreed to forfeit their medical licenses and pay restitution as part of their plea agreement.