Jacksonville clinic owner charged with fraud and racketeering

A Jacksonville clinic owner is at the center of a statewide fraud and racketeering investigation.

The Florida Department of Financial Services has arrested Sandy Morales for charges relating to a fraud scam that resulted in at least $100,000 in false billing. Jail records show the charges include conspiracy to commit and intentional motor vehicle crash, organized fraud, and violation of racketeering laws.

Investigators say Morales staged multiple car crashes and paid people to pose as passengers and seek treatment for their fake injuries in his clinic, Gate Parkway Diagnostic Center.  The DFS further claims Morales recruited other clinic owners to be a part of scheme.

He faces up to 45 years in prison and is currently being held in jail on a bond over $600,000.

DFS says more than 180 arrests have already been linked to this fraud network since September 2012.