Clinic owner sentenced to prison

FORT MYERS — A federal judge in Tampa sentenced physical therapy clinic owner Jose Pascual to 27 months in prison for filing fraudulent claims to a government insurance program.

According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Lee Bentley III, Pascual, 36, pleaded guilty to making fraudulent claims to Medicare, the government's health insurance program for older people.

Pascual's company, R&R Outpatient, had locations in Fort Myers and Ocala. The U.S. Attorney's office says Pascual fabricated medical records and defrauded Medicare of more than $1.1 million.

In addition to his prison term, Pascual was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,292,375 in restitution.