Michigan cancer doctor denies 5 new charges in healthcare fraud case

Dr. Farid Fata accused of misdiagnosing patients, ordering unnecessary treatments

DETROIT – The Michigan cancer doctor accused of misdiagnosing patients and ordering unnecessary treatments in order to allegedly defraud Medicare was back in court Monday for a status hearing.

The hearing determined where both sides stand in the case against Dr. Farid Fata, who is charged with health care fraud , receiving "kickbacks" and unlawful procurement of naturalization.

On Monday, he pleaded not guilty to five new charges from the federal government, bringing total to 19.

Fata owns and operates Michigan Hematology Oncology Centers (MHO) which has offices in Clarkston, Bloomfield Hills, Lapeer, Sterling Heights, Troy and Oak Park.

Doctors and nurses who worked with Fata told federal agents Fata often gave patients doses of medication they didn't need at toxic levels, treated them in office settings as opposed to hospitals and had what is referred to as "interns" or foreign doctors treat a high number of patients.

READ: Criminal complaint against Farid Fata

The trial is scheduled to begin on Feb. 4.

If convicted, Fata faces prison time and could be deported.

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