A doctor in the Brazilian state of Paraná has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for a scheme that defrauded the public health system. Jamal Ali Mohamad Abou Fares was arrested in Maringá on Thursday, May 7th, to begin serving his sentence.
The conviction stems from crimes first reported by the Federal Public Ministry in October 2018. The investigation revealed that Dr. Fares systematically inserted false information into the electronic attendance system used by the Maringá city administration. He submitted fraudulent medical certificates to justify his absences from his duties at public health units.
While officially employed by the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), Brazil's universal public healthcare system, Dr. Fares was simultaneously working at a private hospital in the same city. His scheme allowed him to collect a public salary without fulfilling his obligations, while earning additional income from the private sector.
The Federal Court found him guilty of qualified fraud and inserting false data into information systems. The initial sentence was published on April 14, 2025. After the defense appealed to the Regional Federal Court, the penalty was reviewed and finalized.
The court sentenced Dr. Fares to 13 years, 11 months, and 22 days of imprisonment in a closed regime. Following the denial of further defense appeals, the case reached its final judgment, meaning no further legal recourse is possible. The arrest warrant was then issued for him to commence serving the sentence.
This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat fraud within Brazil's public health infrastructure, ensuring that resources meant for public patients are not diverted through deceptive practices by healthcare professionals.
Based on reporting from g1.