Crime & Safety
Cancer Doctor in Fraud Case to Stay in Jail Until Trial
Judge sets Feb. 4 trial date for Dr. Farid Fata, accused in Medicare billing fraud scheme.
Dr. Farid Fata, the cancer doctor accused of intentionally misdiagnosing patients and ordering unnecessary treatments including chemotherapy and iron infusions and billing Medicare to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, was ordered by a judge Wednesday to remain in jail until his trial, according to the Associated Press.
Fata operated Michigan Hematology Oncology, PC, and primarily worked out of his office in Rochester Hills. FBI agents seized records and took Fata into custody on Aug. 6.
Prosecutors on Wednesday insisted Fata might try to flee to the Middle East if released on bond. Fata, who has been in custody since August, wanted the judge to lower his $9 million bond to $500,000, but he was given no bond.
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"Obviously there is a presumption of innocence ... but the court feels there is a serious risk of flight. The charges are serious," U.S. District Judge Paul Borman said, according to the AP report.
According to the AP, Borman set a Feb. 4 trial date, but that could change after a December update on the case.
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