USA: Indian-American surgeon says he took $3 million bribes to refer patients to a hospital for surgeries

An Indian-American doctor has pleaded guilty to taking millions of dollars in bribes for performing spinal surgeries at a now-defunct medical facility in USA's California.

Lokesh Tantuwaya, a neurosurgeon, reportedly admitted to taking around $3.3 million in bribes from Michael Drobot, the owner of the Pacific Hospital in Long Beach.

Drobot allegedly paid bribes to doctors, chiropractors, and marketers for referral of thousands of patients to Pacific Hospital for surgeries and other medical services. The hospital was paid for the medical procedures through the California workers’ compensation system.

Tantuwaya said that he knew the receipt of money was illegal, and that he owed a fiduciary duty to his patients to not take money in exchange for referring them to Pacific Hospital.

So far, 23 defendants have been convicted for participating in the kickback scheme.

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