Homewood Businessman Avoids Prison in Healthcare Scheme

HOMEWOOD, IL - A Homewood who admitted to bribing doctors in exchange for referrals in his home health care business avoided prison time at his sentencing hearing last week. Romy Macasaet Jr. was instead sentenced to one year of home confinement and three years of probation for his admitted role in the scheme that involved numerous physicians and his former company: Home Bound Healthcare, Inc., according to a recent Daily Southtown report. Lawyers noted the lack of a criminal history and his beloved status in arguing that Macaset should avoid prison time.

Macaset pleaded guilty to one count of violating the anti-kickback statute and agreed to step down as president of the company and give up his ownership.

According to prosecutors, Macaset paid doctors monthly fees between $1,000 and $4,000 in exchange for them recommended Medicare patients to his company. In all, he was charged with paying more than $700,000 in bribes.

While the government argued in court for a prison sentence for Macaset, a judge agreed with his lawyers, who referred to Macaset as “loved, respected and revered” by everyone who knows him.

Macaset is now the president of Home Based Health Caring Hands, where he receives an annual salary of $175,000.

Read more via the Daily Southtown