Michigan: 7 Charged With Defrauding Medicare Of $132 Million

Detroit – Seven people were indicted Wednesday and accused of conspiring to defraud Medicare out of almost $132 million as a team of FBI agents raided their offices in the Fisher Building.

The indictment, unsealed Wednesday in federal court, alleges the defendants participated in a nearly decade-long conspiracy that defrauded Medicare through a series of kickbacks and bribes.

The indictment appears to be part of an annual, nationwide crackdown on health care fraud. Two years ago, federal agents charged 243 people nationwide with participating in fraudulent schemes that involved $712 million in false billings.

This year’s health care fraud crackdown, and the Detroit indictment, is expected to be outlined Thursday by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

In 2015, the enforcement sweep led to 16 arrests on charges relating to schemes that involved more than $122 million.

The indictment unsealed Wednesday alleges the seven defendants conspired in a scheme involving $131.8 million.

The alleged scheme involved paying kickbacks and bribes for services billed to Medicare.

Mashiyat Rashid [pictured above] of Oakland County: owner or operator of Global Quality, Aqua Therapy, Tri-County Physicians, Tri-State Physicians, New Center Medical, National Laboratories and Tri-County Wellness, collectively referred to as the Tri-County Network.

Yasser Mozeb of Oakland County: who was paid by Rashid and opened bank accounts in the name of ISN Marketing to receive payments from Global Quality and Tri-County Wellness.

Dr. Spilios Pappas of Lucas County, Ohio: enrolled as a participating provider with Medicare for Tri-County Physicians and Tri-State Physicians.

Dr. Abdul Haq of Washtenaw County: was enrolled as a participating provider with Medicare for Aqua Therapy, Tri-County Physicians and Tri-State Physicians.

Dr. Joseph Betro of Oakland County, who was enrolled as a participating provider with Medicare for Tri-County Physicians and New Center Medical.

Dr. Tariq Omar of Oakland County, who was enrolled as a participating provider with Medicare for Tri-County Physicians.

Dr. Mohammed Zahoor of Oakland County, who was enrolled as a participating provider with Medicare for Tri-County Physicians.