A New York cardiologist is facing accusations of health care fraud and bribery in connection with an alleged scheme that involved referring patients to his Brooklyn practice. According to prosecutors, the patients’ medical records were subsequently falsified, and they were subjected to unnecessary medical procedures, some of which were repeated more than 10 times.
Prosecutors have recently unsealed an indictment announcing charges and a civil fraud complaint against Niranjan Mittal, aged 70.
“We place our trust in doctors and rely on their expertise,” stated U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in a news release. “According to the allegations, Dr. Niranjan Mittal violated that trust.”
According to the indictment, authorities claim that Mittal has been paying other medical providers for referrals since 2016. The purpose of these payments was to guarantee a consistent influx of new patients. It is alleged that many of these patients were individuals with limited financial resources, insured by government health care programs, and already in a state of poor health.
According to reports, the patients frequently arrived at the facility with confusion regarding their referrals. It is alleged that these individuals were then subjected to a series of tests, follow-up visits, and unnecessary procedures that were specifically aimed at addressing perceived blockages in the blood vessels of their legs.
According to prosecutors, Mittal was involved in a scheme where he would instruct his staff to fabricate patients’ symptoms in order to justify performing unnecessary surgeries.
According to the indictment, many patients did not experience any improvement in their health, and some even had to undergo 10 or more procedures.
According to prosecutors, Mittal has been charged with a scheme that involved billing Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers for more than $100 million. In addition to this, a civil fraud complaint has been filed against Mittal and related entities.
Dr. Mittal, although he took the Hippocratic Oath when he became a doctor, is now facing accusations of fraud. This irony highlights the hypocrisy of his actions, as he prioritized his own financial gain over the well-being of his patients. IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso expressed his dismay, stating, “The alleged fraud committed by Dr. Mittal reveals a clear disregard for his patients, as he focused on enriching himself instead.”
“Mittal’s alleged schemes demonstrated a complete disregard for the well-being of his patients, and his practice of subjecting certain individuals to unnecessary procedures is extremely hazardous.”
Mittal faces charges for engaging in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. Additionally, he is accused of committing health care fraud, conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute, and violating the Anti-Kickback Statute.
If found guilty, he could potentially face a maximum prison sentence of 45 years.
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