Cory Lloyd, president of a Florida insurance brokerage, and Steven Strong, CEO of a marketing company, have been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for orchestrating a $233 million fraud scheme related to the Affordable Care Act. The duo targeted some of Florida’s most vulnerable populations, including the homeless, jobless individuals, and victims of hurricanes, by falsely enrolling them in health insurance plans while pocketing millions in unwarranted commissions. Their fraudulent activities included falsifying government forms and bribing individuals to sign up for plans that ultimately jeopardized their existing insurance coverage.

The case highlights a significant exploitation of vulnerable communities, leveraging their desperation to benefit financially. Justice Department officials have condemned the actions of Lloyd and Strong, pointing out that, although they profited greatly from this illegal scheme, their actions caused severe harm to those they enrolled fraudulently. The court has also ordered them to pay substantial restitution of $180.6 million to the victims, efforts aimed at compensating for the damages inflicted through their dishonest practices.

This sentencing serves as a strong warning to those in the insurance industry about the severe consequences of fraud and exploitation. As health care continues to be a contentious political issue in the United States, instances like these remind the public and lawmakers of the need for rigorous oversight and accountability within the health care system, especially protecting the vulnerable populations that rely on these services for their health and well-being.