Feds seek 30 years in prison for Detroit-area man convicted of millions in prescription fraud
Babubhai "Bob" Patel of Canton Township convicted of filing fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, other insurance programs
Federal prosecutors are seeking a 30-year prison sentence for a Detroit-area man convicted of prescription drug fraud worth millions.
Babubhai "Bob" Patel of Canton Township controlled more than 20 pharmacies in the Detroit area. He was convicted of conspiracy and other charges last summer after prosecutors presented evidence of fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance programs.
Patel will get his sentence Friday. The government is seeking nearly $20 million in restitution.
He was accused of billing for expensive prescriptions that never were filled. The government says he paid doctors to write the orders and sent people to soup kitchens to offer cash in exchange for their Medicare number.
Patel has deep ties to the local Indian community and was vice chairman of the Canton Hindu temple.
Mugshots Of Painkiller Scheme Suspects
A Detroit-area pharmacist who controls more than 20 Michigan pharmacies conspired with doctors and others to illegally bill the government for painkiller prescriptions worth millions.
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