MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Three New Jersey doctors admitted to sending patients in for unnecessary diagnostic tests as part of a massive kickback scheme that dates back to 2006.
Dennis Aponte, Claudio Dicovsky and Franklin Dana Fortunato all pleaded guilty to the Federal Travel Act; Fortunato also pled guilty to tax return fraud.
For years, the docs were paid thousands of dollars a month to refer patients to a medical testing center called Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services. While the going was good, the diagnostic center pulled in more than $1.4 million from the kickback racket, according to the FBI.
"These types of kickback arrangements cripple the health care industry and severely impact patient care. The FBI remains committed to investing its resources to combat these types of schemes," said FBI agent Aaron Ford in prepared remarks.
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