On May 29, 2025, U.S. District Judge Joseph P. Stadtmueller sentenced Michael G.V. Comino to 22 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to pay and receive healthcare kickbacks, violating the Anti-Kickback Statute. The announcement was made by Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Comino is also required to pay over $2 million in restitution to Medicare.
Court records reveal that Comino, along with a co-defendant, owned Kestrel Medical LLC, which supplied durable medical equipment like orthotic devices. Starting in August 2019, Comino provided “leads” or signed doctors’ orders to Kestrel in exchange for kickback payments directed to two companies he owned. By February 2020, Comino had become a fifty percent owner of Kestrel and continued these activities. The nature of the payments was concealed by labeling them as invoices for marketing hours. This scheme resulted in Medicare disbursing over $2 million to Kestrel while Comino personally received substantial sums during 2019 and 2020.
Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling emphasized the commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office to combat healthcare fraud: “The restitution order and prison sentence in this case underscore that providers of medical equipment and supplies cannot engage in unlawful schemes that put their interests ahead of those of the American taxpayer.”
FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle stated: “Individuals like Mr. Comino must face the consequences of their actions that defrauded the American people and wasted taxpayer money.” He added that this case sends a strong message against healthcare kickback schemes.
Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), remarked on the nature of the conduct: “The conduct in this investigation highlights a scheme whereby the defendant prioritized profits over patient care, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.” He assured ongoing efforts with law enforcement partners to protect federal health care programs’ integrity.
The investigation was conducted by both the FBI and HHS-OIG, with Assistant U.S. Attorney John Scully prosecuting.
