Miami-Dade post-operative care houses are allegedly operated illegally by a couple; patients are not exhibiting “disturbing behavior”

FLORIDA’S MIAMI-DADE COUNTY: A man and a woman are charged with operating at least three illicit rehabilitation centers for cosmetic surgery at various sites in Miami-Dade County. Patients who complained about the care they received allegedly faced intimidation and “disturbing behavior,” according to the police.

After their illegal facilities were raided, Tatiana Giraldo-Torres, 33, and Juan Diego Ramirez, 32, the owners of Tatiana’s Resort & Spa, were reportedly shifting patients around. After being taken into custody on Thursday, they are currently being charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors. The two, who are both citizens of Colombia, live at the same Davie home, according to arrest papers.

Unlawfully Disposing medical waste

Authorities reported that they located one patient, one employee in the apartment, and three more patients who were either at appointments or in surgery. Giraldo-Torres and Ramirez reportedly transformed a closet into a massage room and transformed a four-bedroom house into a six-bedroom, illegal treatment center that could house up to 17 patients, according to arrest records.

Police reported that they discovered medical supplies and massage equipment all over the house, which was rented out under Ramirez and his mother’s names. Police also claimed that they were unlawfully disposing of medical waste.

Police were informed by a patient that her boyfriend had paid $1,600 for her to stay at the house for six nights as she recovered from surgery. According to the authorities, the worker informed them that her hourly compensation of $10 was less than Florida’s minimum wage.

The worker named Giraldo-Torres and Ramirez as her employers; neither was there, and police said that Giraldo-Torres had backed out of an agreement to speak with detectives the next day. A house map: According to arrest files, they reported to detectives that they saw “disturbing behavior” at the Spur Drive residence.

Tampering witnesses

An investigator noted in the reports that “they continued to operate unlicensed ALFs at other locations, rather than refunding previously booked clients their monies.”

Furthermore, the defendant and co-conspirator tried to intimidate the patients into not calling the police when they expressed concerns about the care they were receiving, or they requested them to recant any prior statements they had made to the police.

Giraldo-Torres and Ramirez are charged with three charges of operating an ALF without a license, as well as separate counts of witness tampering, organized plot to defraud, littering, and criminal hazardous waste.

They are also being prosecuted for misdemeanor counts of failing to track biological waste and causing nuisances that endanger health. As of Thursday afternoon, both were being detained on bonds totaling more than $13,000, according to Miami-Dade jail documents.