We count on our doctors to be trustworthy and ethical professionals, dedicated to serving our health needs. However, like all of us, sometimes doctors find themselves in bad situations or making wrong choices.
A New York based doctor who was accused of participating in a multimillion-dollar fraud ring recently disappeared somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. His boat apparently collided with a large vessel late at night, and while his passenger was rescued, the doctor is still missing.
Although the doctor enjoyed fishing, a source reported that it was not normal for him to go out fishing so late at night. A spokesperson from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York says an investigation into the doctor’s disappearance is still in progress.
The fraud allegations
Earlier this year, the doctor, along with several other individuals, was indicted for allegedly being involved in a bribery, insurance fraud and money laundering scam.
Specifically, the doctor was accused of lying while under oath to insurance companies for over a decade and conspiring with others to provide testing described as “painful and unnecessary” to patients.
If the doctor resurfaces and is convicted of the charges, he faces major penalties, including up to 30 years in prison.
Addressing these types of allegations
When doctors are convicted of charges like this, they could also potentially be hit with heavy fines and lose their medical license. This is why it is important to act quickly if you are a doctor or other professional charged with fraud or a similar type of crime.
It is best to immediately seek advice and counsel from an attorney experienced with defending healthcare fraud cases. You have legal rights that deserve protection and several legal options that might be available to you.