Indian-American Doctor Sentenced to 46 Months Jail for Bribery

An Indian-American radiologist, who ran a fledgling patient referral scheme in New Jersey, has been sentenced to 46 months for bribery.

Dr Ashok Kumar Babaria, who owned and operated Orange Community MRI LLC (Orange MRI), a diagnostic testing center, pleaded guilty before the US District Judge Claire C Cecchi to a charge of offering and paying doctors illegal cash for patient referrals, which is in violation of the federal health care anti-kickback statute.

The judge also ordered 64-year-old Babaria to forfeit over $2 million and pay a fine of $25,000. This is in addition to the sentence of 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

During the hearing, Dr Babaria admitted negotiating, approving and paying kickbacks to physicians for each diagnostic test referral.


Source: Medindia