07/12/2013    

PODIATRISTS AND THE LAW

FL Podiatrist Who Took Kickbacks Loses License, but Won't Go to Jail

A Pasco County foot doctor who accepted kickbacks from a medical supply company now is faced with the end of his medical career in the United States. Dr. Nimesh Patel was adored by his patients, as demonstrated in dozens of notes presented to a federal judge. Defense attorney Scott Flint told U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven today that the felony conviction means Patel will lose his medical license, something Flint described as "massive collateral consequences" for his conduct.

In February, Patel pleaded guilty to accepting $8,000 worth of kickbacks from a company that makes synthetic skin used to treat foot ulcers. According to his plea agreement, Patel accepted gift cards or cash and tickets to sports events in return for his continued use of the company's products. Because those products were used to treat Medicare patients, the kickbacks were a federal crime.

Source: Elaine Silvestrini, Tampa Tribune [7/9/13]