Fresno Podiatrist and Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Sentenced for $3.2 Million Healthcare Fraud Scheme On April 16, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston sentenced Felipe Ruiz, a 52-year-old podiatrist from Fresno, and Jose Gabriel Aguirre, a 53-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative from Clovis, to 63 months in federal prison for their roles in a $3.2 million healthcare fraud scheme. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. According to court documents and prosecutors, Ruiz was the sole owner of West Coast Podiatry Incorporated, a podiatric medical practice operating in Fresno, Madera, and Stanislaus Counties. Aguirre, who was not licensed to practice medicine, sold skin grafts to Ruiz and the practice. Between June 2021 and January 2024, Ruiz permitted Aguirre to apply skin grafts and perform other medical procedures on patients with severe wounds, including sharp debridement—a procedure that involves using a scalpel to scrape wounds until they bleed. Some patients referred to Aguirre as “Dr. Gabe,” believing he was a licensed physician. Ruiz and Aguirre submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and Medi-Cal, falsely stating that Ruiz or other licensed physicians had performed the procedures. The fraudulent billing resulted in over $3 million in false claims. As part of the sentence, Judge Thurston ordered the forfeiture of nine properties owned by the defendants. Aguirre was also ordered to pay a $2.6 million personal forfeiture money judgment, while Ruiz was ordered to pay a $12.1 million personal forfeiture money judgment. U.S. Attorney Grant emphasized the breach of patient trust, stating, “We trust licensed medical professionals to safeguard their patients and not hand them over to unqualified individuals. This podiatrist put profit over patient safety by allowing a salesman to perform medical procedures on vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries.” Both men were convicted of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and are serving their sentences in federal prison. The case underscores ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat healthcare fraud and protect patients from unlicensed medical practices.
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