WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen faces 76 medical insurance-related charges in addition to being charged earlier with bribing US Senator Robert Menendez, US Justice Department said in a statement.
“A South Florida Doctor was charged in a seventy-six count indictment for participating in a Medicare fraud scheme,” the statement, issued on Tuesday, said.
Melgen, 61, was charged with making false health care claims and statements, according to the Justice Department.
Between January 2008 and December 2013, Melgen billed the US Medicare program more than $190 million, but later received more than $105 million in reimbursements, the Justice Department specified.
“Instead, [patients] allegedly received medically unreasonable and unnecessary tests and procedures for which they and the taxpayers paid millions of dollars,” the Special Agent said.
From January 2006 to January 2013, Menendez accepted at least $1 million worth of lavish gifts and campaign contributions from Melgen in exchange for using his power as Senator to help secure millions worth of Medicare contacts to Melgen’s Ophthalmology office, according to the indictment.
The Justice Department indicted Menendez and Melgen for conspiracy on April 1, 2015.
Menendez also helped support the US visa applications of several of the eye doctor’s girlfriends, the indictment said.
On April 2, Menendez denied the accusations of corruption around his relationship with Melgen and pleaded not guilty.
