09/16/2002    Report on Medicare Compliance

Ohio Podiatrist Fined and Sent to the Slammer

Ohio Podiatrist Fined and Sent to the Slammer

An Ohio podiatrist, who allegedly gave false
testimony at a trial in which he was convicted of
taking a $400 kickback from a now-defunct mobile
medical laboratory, was sentenced to six months
in prison and fined $5,000.
SAMUEL GOSS, D.P.M., was convicted on one count
of violating the health care anti-kickback
statute. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District
of Ohio Emily Sweeney says Goss received the
kickback from Cardiac Interpretations, Inc. and
its president in return for referring patients
for vascular testing. The kickback was paid in
the form of a fake lease payment, according to
Sweeney. "The court enhanced Dr. Goss' sentence
upon a finding that he had obstructed justice by
testifying falsely at the trial, and upon a
finding that he abused a position of trust with
the Medicare program," she said. Goss' company,
All Foot Care also was sentenced and fined
$20,000.

Source: Report on Medicare Compliance.