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April 10, 2008

Suspended doctor accused of almost $3M in fraud

A federal complaint lodged against a Rhode Island doctor accuses him of fraudulently billing Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurers almost $3 million.

The physician, Tarek Wehbe, had his medical license suspended by the state health department director on Monday after investigation discovered several dozen of Wehbe's cancer patients may have gotten inadequate chemotherapy doses between 2004 and 2006.

Today, U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente's office announced a forfeiture complaint against assets "traced to Wehbe," a news release says.

The federal complaint alleges that Wehbe billed for "services not performed, inflated the type of treatment given, and billed for 'impossible days,' consisting of more than 24 hours worth of visits," the U.S. Attorney's office said.

A federal affidavit with the complaint says that Wehbe owns and operates the Renaissance Medical Group, which has offices in North Providence and Providence.

The complaint seeks to have forfeited an account at Citizens Bank as well as real estate in North Providence, Lincoln, Jamestown, and Smithfield, "all wholly or partially owned" by Wehbe, either "directly or through corporate entities." The federal government argues the properties represent proceeds from health-care fraud.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, the state Attorney General’s Medicare fraud unit, and the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigation, were involved in the investigation. The complaint was filed Tuesday.

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 11:42 AM | Permalink

Comments

I wonder if this is the type of complaint our fine legislature is considering erasing from the books.

As to the inadequate cancer treatment, life in prison sounds about right.

trudy | April 10, 2008 12:30 PM link

Oh geez, guys, they're gonna be real mad at him.

butters | April 10, 2008 2:30 PM link

My husband was a patient of this man. We were not comfortable with him receiving his chemotherapy at this office and decided to find another oncologist. I feel for the people who were treated there and for their families who must be devastated knowing that their loved ones may not have gotten the proper treatment and the treatment that they deserved. This man should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Marilyn Campbell | April 10, 2008 2:44 PM link

This is crazy, I have been to this practice and never would have thought this type of misconduct was going on. I hope the Pediatric practice is not involved in this.

Joy | April 10, 2008 3:07 PM link

my dad was a patient of his. He tells me that his homeless and druggie friends would refer their friends (my dad) to the doctor since he gave out all kinds of drugs without question. this is what we thought at first was the reason why he got arrested. I am glad that he has stopped supplying addicts.

frank | April 11, 2008 2:53 AM link

I remember the case of Dr. Judge back in 2002. Judge was also upcoding his patient visits and I assisted the Medicaid Fraud unit at the RI Department of Attorney General in showing the abuse via software tools we had available at the time. The arc coincided with his tax liability.

But this case is so much more sinister. I'm glad the fed got the case this time.

Tony P | April 11, 2008 4:05 AM link

Anyone with this terrible disease....go to Dr.Sambandam on Pontiac Ave. Cranston,went to him for years,the BEST in Oncology!

KEN R. | April 11, 2008 5:49 AM link

These are the types of ethical behaviors that one would expect when one takes or removes regulation from the process. Keep making them cuts and layoffs "Don", way to go. This is only going to be the tip of the iceburg (sp). Keep up the great work "Don". Things will only change when this type of unethical behavior directly impacts his and his rich ass cronies.

Aldo | April 11, 2008 6:27 AM link

These are the types of ethical behaviors that one would expect when one takes or removes regulation from the process. Keep making them cuts and layoffs "Don", way to go. This is only going to be the tip of the iceburg (sp). Keep up the great work "Don". Things will only change when this type of unethical behavior directly impacts his and his rich ass cronies.

Aldo | April 11, 2008 6:29 AM link

About 7 years ago Dr. Wehbe precribed a 2D Echo in his office for my 84 year old mother which I believe to have been totally unnecessary since she never had nor was experiencing any heart problems. My mother switched to an associate doctor in the group with whom we were very pleased.

Joe D. | April 11, 2008 6:59 AM link

They should take everything he owns. he got them from stealing from the taxpayers. If any money is in his wife name that should also be taken if she can't prove that she earn the money that may be in her bank account, or prove she earn the money to pay for property that may be in her name. The license of the doctor should be taken away for life, he is not fit to be a doctor. Let this be a warning to all doctor, that this kind of practice will not go unpunished R.R.H

R.R.H | April 11, 2008 11:01 AM link

I have been seeing Dr. Wehbe for the past 4yrs. and I am shocked at this news. I found him to be very thorough with any illness I had been treated for. I am sorry for the ones that were affected by his deceit. DJ

Peanuts | April 25, 2008 12:44 PM link

It is not fair that he scape to his country now he is living the life with our money. Word says he went back to lebanon and will not return to the united states. He should be arrested and given the max sentence in prison.

rrrr | April 26, 2008 8:20 PM link

This is, WAS my doctor and I never liked going to that office! I found them to be very unprofessional! He never really listened to me and when I had a medical emergency, I was sent home; unfortunately I ended up in the ER and hospitalized for 5 days (because I knew something was seriously wrong and against their advice)!!! I'm glad he got caught and hope those affected get some resolve...

Jen | May 22, 2008 1:42 PM link

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