OAK PARK, Mich. – Medical files have been found dumped outside an Oak Park medical center where the doctor was convicted of Medicare fraud before passing away.
Julius Williams told Local 4 he went to pick up a prescription over the weekend near his former doctor's office on Coolidge Highway when he noticed boxes piled up outside.
"I had a strong hunch something was wrong when I saw the boxes. I went over there and grabbed some and it was medical records, all kinds of personal information," Williams said. "I was afraid that all of my information was somewhere in that dumpster, too."
The files contain Social Security numbers, X-rays, blood types and addresses of former patients for Dr. Pramod Raval.
Raval was one of 13 people indicted in a $14 million Medicare home health care fraud scheme. He was convicted in 2012, but died in 2013 before serving any prison time because his sentencing date was scheduled in January 2014.
Raval's office was turned over to a bank before being sold to Hope Pharmacy.
Pharmacy workers would not go on camera with Local 4, but said they didn't know what kind of files had been left in the building before contractors were brought in to clear it for a remodel.
"I didn't know what to do, that's why I contacted Local 4," said Williams. "You don't want this information on the streets."
Oak Park police said they were told a shredding company was scheduled to come in a destroy the files, but police didn't know why that wasn't done before the files were dumped.
Police said they have also contacted the state regarding any possible fines for violations.
Any other concerned former patients can call Oak Park police.