Indian American from Saratoga convicted on numerous health care fraud

Saratoga: Vilasini Ganesh, Head of Campbell Medical Group was convicted of 10 health care fraud and false statements relating to health care matters on dec14. According to press release from Office of the US Attorney for North California Gregory Blecher was convicted of one count of making false statements relating to health care matters. A federal jury convicted the two after an eight –week jury trial before the Honorable Lucy H. Koh, US District Court Judge.

Vilasini Ganesh is 47, an Indian –America woman from Saratoga California, guilty of five counts of health care fraud and five counts of making false statements relating to claims fraudulently submitted to health care benefit programs. While Belcher, 56, also of Saratoga, was found guilty of one count of making a false statement relating to a health care benefit program.  The defendants were acquitted of conspiracy and money laundering counts, and Belcher was also acquitted of four other health care fraud counts and one other count of making a false statement relating to a health care benefit program. The duo used their practice “to unlawfully enrich themselves,” according to and statement by the department. They were said to have diverted proceeds from the fraud for their personal use.

When patients or the healthcare benefit program representatives wanted to see the documentation or additional information to substantiate the claims that were being submitted at her direction and on her behalf, Ganesh either directed her office staff to have no further discussions with anyone about the claims or to simply resubmit the false information.

According to patients’ reviews on Yelp.com, her office would repeatedly send bills to them that either the insurance would have covered or for services that they did not seek.

However evidence at trial showed that Ganesh submitted false and fraudulent claims to several health care benefit programs, as per press release. The claims were for days when the patient had not been seen by the provider, or when patients had been seen by another physician provider who was no longer affiliated with her practice. The defendants also maintained multiple bank accounts through which they are said to have attempted to conceal the nature and source of the illegally obtained funds which resulted from their scheme to defraud people. At present Ganesh out of custody, on a $350,000 bond. Belcher is also out of custody on a bond of 250,000.

Scheduled sentencing hearing of case is April 4 next year.  The maximum statutory penalty varies from 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine plus restitution to five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine plus restitution. News as per little India.