FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CBS12) — A Florida nursing assistant who sent thousands of unnecessary orthotic braces to Medicare patients was convicted Thursday in an $11.4 million fraud scheme built on fake doctors’ orders and hidden ownership.

The U.S. Department of Justice said that Christian “Chris” Cruz, 45, of Pompano Beach, owned a durable medical equipment company that billed Medicare for orthotic braces, federal investigators say, that beneficiaries didn’t request or require. Prosecutors said he and a coconspirator bought fraudulent doctors’ orders with illegal kickbacks, then used them to ship braces nationwide and file millions in false claims.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said Cruz “blatantly lied to Medicare” to steal taxpayer money, while FBI Miami Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chris Caldwell called it a calculated scheme to “enrich himself by defrauding Medicare to the tune of millions.”

Investigators said Cruz also hid that he coowned the company with a convicted felon — a fact that would have barred Medicare enrollment. The coconspirator remains at large.

See also: $18 million emergency room approved after Avenir's rapid growth overloads local services

Evidence showed Cruz funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars into his personal account, withdrawing cash just under the $10,000 reporting threshold at different South Florida banks, according to the DOJ.

A jury convicted Cruz of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and structuring. He faces up to 125 years in federal prison at his April 13 sentencing.

The FBI and HHSOIG investigated. Trial Attorney Owen Dunn and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sterling Paulson prosecuted the case.