Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
International

Indian-American admits to multi-million kickback, bribery scheme

Darpan News Desk IANS, 09 Jan, 2023 12:23 PM
  • Indian-American admits to multi-million kickback, bribery scheme
Photo courtesy of IStock.
 
New York, Jan 9 (IANS) An Indian-American has admitted conspiring to offer and pay bribes and kickbacks in exchange for having prescriptions steered to a pharmacy in New Jersey where he worked.

Srinivasa Raju, 51, of Haskell, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before US District Judge Michael A. Shipp to information charging him with conspiring to violate the federal anti-kickback statute.

According to court documents, Raju had various responsibilities at the Morris County pharmacy, including coordinating prescription deliveries and soliciting business.

From January 2019 through February 2021, he worked with other pharmacy personnel to pay kickbacks and bribes to medical employees in two different doctors' offices in Jersey City.

In exchange, those employees steered numerous, high-value prescriptions to the pharmacy where Raju worked.

Raju and his conspirators paid as much as $150 for each prescription and used various tactics to conceal many of those bribe payments.

Overall, the pharmacy received over $2.4 million in Medicare reimbursement payments based on prescriptions derived from the kickback scheme, a statement issued by Attorney Philip R. Sellinger's office, said.

The conspiracy charge is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss derived from the offence, whichever is greater.

Raju's sentencing is scheduled for May 16.

  •  

MORE International ARTICLES

At 42, Rishi Sunak youngest person to take UK PM office in over 200 years

At 42, Rishi Sunak youngest person to take UK PM office in over 200 years
It was another former Prime Minister Boris Johnson who gave Sunak his first major government role when he first appointed him as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2019, and as the Chancellor in 2020. Sunak won popularity during the early weeks of the pandemic when he unveiled an extensive support plan for those unable to work during lockdown.

At 42, Rishi Sunak youngest person to take UK PM office in over 200 years

Diwali to be public school holiday in NYC starting 2023

Diwali to be public school holiday in NYC starting 2023
 Diwali will be a public school holiday in New York City starting next year, Mayor Eric Adams announced at a press conference on Thursday with state assembly woman Jenifer Rajkumar.  They were joined by Department of Education chancellor David Banks. The announcement comes two days before the festival of lights, which falls on October 24.

Diwali to be public school holiday in NYC starting 2023

Truss bites the dust, another chance for Sunak

Truss bites the dust, another chance for Sunak
In effect, Britain will have an incredible and unprecedented third Prime Minister in three and a half months. Truss added she had agreed with Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee - the body that conducts internal elections in the Conservative party - that the leadership election will be completed within a week.

Truss bites the dust, another chance for Sunak

Indian Embassy in Ukraine advises citizens to leave war-torn nation

Indian Embassy in Ukraine advises citizens to leave war-torn nation
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine on Wednesday advised all Indian citizens, including students, to leave the war-torn nation at the earliest by available means, due to "deteriorating security situation" there.

Indian Embassy in Ukraine advises citizens to leave war-torn nation

Labour party appoints its first turban-wearing Sikh to House of Lords

Labour party appoints its first turban-wearing Sikh to House of Lords
Sahota, 71, who has served as Councillor at Telford and Wrekin council since 2001 for 21 years, was nominated by Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and will thus be addressed as Lord Sahota.

Labour party appoints its first turban-wearing Sikh to House of Lords

British Sikh 'Polar Preet' to trek 1,100 miles across Antarctica

British Sikh 'Polar Preet' to trek 1,100 miles across Antarctica
The 33-year-old will pull all her kit and supplies on a sledge (pulk), weighing around 120kg (19 stone) at the start of her epic journey in November, while battling temperatures of -50c and wind speeds of up to 60mph. "I expect the journey to take approximately 75 days. Having done 700 miles to the South Pole, I know I can do 1,100 miles," Chandi, a physiotherapist with the British Army, said.

British Sikh 'Polar Preet' to trek 1,100 miles across Antarctica