DETROIT – A Michigan doctor who is accused of deliberately misdiagnosing patients with cancer and other conditions in order to commit health care fraud was released on bond Thursday during a detention hearing.
Oncologist Farid Fata is accused of giving cancer drugs to patients unnecessarily - or in inappropriate dosages.
During the court proceedings the federal judge hearing the case allowed family members of Fata's patients to give unsworn testimony to tell what they believe what the doctor did help him determine whether or not he would be a flight risk.
Also during Thursday's hearing prosecutors claimed Fata has between $40 and $45 million in assets, $14 million in liquid assets. Fata's attorney disputed those claims.
He was arrested Tuesday in the alleged $35 million Medicare fraud scheme.
READ: Criminal complaint against Farid Fata
Fata owns and operates Michigan Hematology Oncology Centers (MHO) which has offices in Clarkston, Bloomfield Hills, Lapeer, Sterling Heights, Troy and Oak Park.
Fata is also accused of prescribing Xanax to patients who were nervous about their treatment.
A medical assistant said Fata told her to falsify records and would delay scans for patients at other facilities so he could do them through his own center.
Sketch of Farid Fata in court on Tuesday. Sketch done by Jerry Lemenu.