Newark, N.J. – Ricky J. Sayegh, a Yonkers-based internal medicine doctor, has pleaded guilty to taking bribes in exchange for test referrals to Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), of Parsippany, New Jersey.
Sayegh, 44, from Scarsdale, New York, admitted accepting cash bribes totaling approximately $400,000 from BLS employees and associates between February 2010 and April 2013. His referrals generated over $1.4 million in lab business for BLS.
The investigation has resulted in 45 convictions, including 31 doctors, linked to the bribery scheme. Organizers estimate it involved millions of dollars in bribes and more than $100 million in payments from Medicare and private insurance companies. It’s believed to be the largest number of medical professionals prosecuted for bribery.
Special agents from the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS–Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have been instrumental in the ongoing probe. Sayegh faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
BLS, which is no longer operational, pleaded guilty on June 28, 2016, and was required to forfeit all assets. The investigation has recovered over $12 million through forfeiture.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph N. Minish, Danielle Alfonzo Walsman, Jacob T. Elberg, and Barbara Ward are representing the government in this case. Sayegh’s sentencing is scheduled for September 6, 2017.
RELATED: Monkey Torture Ringleader Pleads Guilty
RELATED: Medicaid Scam: St. Louis Woman Pleads Guilty
Related Federal Cases
- Newark Doc Admits Fraudulent Prescription Scheme · New Jersey
- Alin Carabus Pleads Guilty in $5M ATM Skimming Scheme · New York
- Shawn Hilliard Gets 12 Years for $1.3M Bank Fraud Scheme · Pennsylvania
- Irfan Amanat Charged in $2M KITD, Maiden Capital Fraud Scheme · New Jersey
- Nimesh Patel, Dilip Vadlamudi Charged in $274K Kickback Scheme · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
