A Southern California couple has agreed to pay $10 million in a settlement for their role in an extensive scheme to defraud Medicare and medical programs.
Dr. Mohammad Lasekhi and his wife, Sheila Busheri, are accused of submitting false health insurance claims and engaging in a kickback scheme through businesses they own, according to the California Department of Justice.
Mr. Raseki is the founder and chief medical officer of Southern California Medical Center, a group of general practice clinics. His wife serves as the group’s chief executive officer. The couple also co-own Universal Diagnostic Laboratories, a medical testing facility.
Court documents describe the medical group as a “not-for-profit, federally qualified medical center that provides medical services to underserved patient populations.”
The project reportedly ran from 2014 to 2021. Lasekki operated offices throughout the Southland region, with locations in Van Nuys, Pomona, Pico Rivera, Long Beach, El Monte, and Woodland Hills. The clinical laboratory facility was located in Van Nuys.
The couple is accused of fraudulently billing federal health care programs.
Prosecutors alleged that he paid illegal kickbacks to third-party marketers for referring Medicare and Medi-Cal beneficiaries to the clinic. The move violated anti-kickback laws.
Officials are also encouraging out-of-town clinics to attract patients to their testing facilities by paying above-market rent, offering discounts on testing services to staff, and writing off outstanding balances in exchange for referrals. He stated that he knowingly paid kickbacks for the referrals.
Through this scheme, the couple is accused of receiving excessive reimbursements from Medi-Cal.
The couple agreed to pay a $10 million settlement, with the state of California receiving $4 million and the federal government receiving $6 million.
“Medical professionals’ abuse of the Medi-Cal program, which is meant to help the state’s most vulnerable people, betrays the very principles of the Hippocratic Oath and supports the elderly, the sick, and those in need. “It undermines the program it was designed to do,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Dr. Lasekhi’s alleged actions not only undermined patient trust, but also diverted essential resources from critical health care services that benefit our communities. We are committed to ensuring integrity and compassion guide the care provided.”
Lasekhi surrendered his medical license in early December after the California Medical Board accused him of sexually abusing three women under his supervision, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The couple deny all charges, and Lasekhi has opted to waive his right to a hearing and retire from practicing medicine rather than fight the charges, the Times reported.
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