US crackdown on cash for referrals brings more arrests

A California radiologist is among eight people charged with paying and accepting illegal kickbacks for patient referrals in what prosecutors called the “first wave” of arrests arising from investigations into schemes to defraud insurers associated with the California workers’ compensation system.

A chiropractor, a medical equipment provider, a medical clinic administrator, and a self employed medical marketer were also arrested in raids last week. They were charged with conspiracy and mail fraud, alongside six corporations and three other people in three federal grand jury indictments. One of the men charged is still at large.

Laura Duffy, US attorney, noted connections between the three cases but said that these cannot be disclosed while the investigation continues. “Today’s indictments are only the first wave of charges in what we believe is rampant corruption …