Doctor Tied To Menendez Indicted On Medicare Fraud Charges
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — A Florida doctor, charged in a political corruption case involving a New Jersey Senator, has been indicted in a medicare fraud scheme.
Dr. Salomon E. Melgen, 61, of North Palm Beach,was indicted on seventy-six counts including health care fraud, making, presenting and filing false, fictitious and fraudulent claims and making false statements relating to health care.
According to the indictment, Melgen was an ophthalmologist and retina specialist licensed to practice medicine in the State of Florida, who owned and operated Vitreo-Retinal Consultants of the Palm Beaches.
The indictment alleges that from as early as 2004, and continuing through at least December 31, 2013, Melgen participated in a scheme to defraud Medicare and other health care benefit programs, by submitting false claims and creating fraudulent entries on patients' medical charts.
Prosecutors said he tried to bilk the health care program out of as much as $190 million.
Melgen is also accused of falsely diagnosing patients with serious eye conditions like macular degeneration and retinal disorders.
Department of Justice officials said Melgen had a high-volume practice and provided services to as many as 100 patients or more, in a single day.
Melgen has been tied to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez who pleaded not guilty to corruption charges, accusing him of using his office to improperly benefit Melgen who was also a political donor.
Melgen and Menendez have been friends for decades. The senator has said they celebrated holidays and weddings together, mourned together at funerals and exchanged gifts on birthdays.
The corruption indictment unsealed earlier this month against the men claimed Menendez intervened on his friend's behalf to gain visas for Melgen's foreign girlfriends, press Dominican officials to honor a lucrative port contract for one of the doctor's businesses and influence CMS officials on the billing dispute. In exchange, authorities said, Melgen showered the senator with flights, vacations and contributions.
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