Court Upholds Conviction of Office Manager Involved in Kickback Scheme

A California appellate court upheld the sentence and conviction of a former office manager for his involvement in an illegal kickback operation.   Case: People v. Paredes, No. D076086, 02/18/2021, unpublished. Facts: Ruben Martinez and his son, Alex Martinez, opened a medical clinic in Calexico. In 2009, chiropractor Steven Rigler moved his practice into the clinic. He examined patients who were receiving workers’ compensation benefits and who had been referred to him by the Martinezes. Rigler did not pay rent or utilities or contribute to the salaries of clinic staff. He instea...