Cardiologist latest to plead guilty in MRI scheme

by Karen Long on Feb 18, 2013
Another person – this time an Edison, N.J., cardiologist – pleaded guilty in connection with a cash kickback scheme involving Orange (N.J.) Community MRI.
 
Shashi Agarwal was charged with one count of soliciting and receiving more than $100,000 in cash kickbacks in violation of the federal health care anti-kickback statute, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey.
 
He is the 10th person to plead guilty, including the executive director of Orange Community MRI.
 
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Agarwal received $100 from Orange Community MRI for each Medicare or Medicaid patient he referred for a MRI and $50 for each Medicare or Medicaid patient he referred for a CT scan. He agreed to forfeit $101,750 in “bribe money.”
 
Agarwal’s sentencing is scheduled for June 6.
 
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