Fresno Podiatrist and Pharmaceutical Rep Sentenced for $3.2M Fraud Scheme

The two men allowed an unlicensed sales rep to perform medical procedures on vulnerable patients.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a medical scalpel against a pitch-black background, the harsh flash creating dramatic shadows and highlights that conceptually illustrate the serious breach of trust and patient safety at the heart of this fraud case.A medical scalpel, the tool used by an unlicensed pharmaceutical rep to perform unauthorized procedures on vulnerable patients, starkly illuminated to convey the gritty reality of this health care fraud case.Clovis Today

A Fresno podiatrist named Felipe Ruiz and a Clovis pharmaceutical sales representative named Jose Gabriel Aguirre were sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for a $3.2 million health care fraud scheme. Ruiz, the podiatrist, allowed Aguirre, who was not licensed to practice medicine, to perform medical procedures on patients, including applying skin grafts that required cutting into wounds with a scalpel. Ruiz and Aguirre also submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and Medi-Cal, falsely representing that licensed physicians had performed the procedures.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious risks to patient safety when unlicensed individuals are allowed to perform medical procedures, as well as the broader problem of health care fraud that undermines the integrity of federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid. It also raises concerns about oversight and accountability within the podiatry industry.

The details

According to court documents, Ruiz was the sole owner of West Coast Podiatry Inc. (WCP), a podiatry practice with locations in Fresno, Madera, and Stanislaus Counties. Aguirre was a pharmaceutical sales representative who sold skin grafts to Ruiz and WCP. Between June 2021 and January 2024, Ruiz allowed Aguirre to apply skin grafts and perform other medical procedures on patients, even though Aguirre was not licensed to practice medicine. Some patients believed Aguirre was a physician, referring to him as 'Dr. Gabe.' Ruiz and Aguirre then submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and Medi-Cal, falsely representing that licensed physicians had performed the procedures.

  • Between June 2021 and January 2024, Ruiz allowed Aguirre to perform medical procedures on patients.
  • In 2023, WCP submitted $150,000 in claims to Medicare, claiming a physician performed procedures when the physician was out of the country on vacation.
  • From 2021 to 2024, Ruiz submitted approximately $3.2 million in false claims to Medicare, Medicaid and Medi-Cal.

The players

Felipe Ruiz

A 52-year-old Fresno podiatrist and the sole owner of West Coast Podiatry Inc. (WCP), a podiatric medical practice.

Jose Gabriel Aguirre

A 53-year-old Clovis pharmaceutical sales representative who sold skin grafts to Ruiz and WCP, and was not licensed to practice medicine.

West Coast Podiatry Inc. (WCP)

A podiatric medical practice with locations in Fresno, Madera, and Stanislaus Counties, owned by Felipe Ruiz.

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What they’re saying

“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. Today's outcome underscores our commitment to holding providers accountable when they abuse that trust and bill federal health care programs for services that violate the most basic standards of care.”

— Eric Grant, U.S. Attorney

“Fueled by greed, Dr. Ruiz's scheme exposed his patients to serious risk and undermined the integrity of federal health care programs. As today's sentences demonstrate, HHS‑OIG and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold those who put profits above patients accountable for their actions.”

— Robb R. Breeden, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG)

What’s next

The judge ordered the forfeiture of nine properties owned by Aguirre and Ruiz, as well as a $2.6 million personal forfeiture money judgement against Aguirre and a $12.1 million personal forfeiture money judgement against Ruiz.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of strict oversight and accountability within the medical industry, particularly when it comes to ensuring that only licensed and qualified professionals are performing medical procedures. It also highlights the broader problem of health care fraud and the need for continued vigilance to protect vulnerable patients and the integrity of federal health care programs.