NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Thirteen New Jersey doctors accepted cash kickbacks to refer patients to a medical testing facility, federal prosecutors alleged Tuesday.
A nurse practitioner also was arrested along with the physicians and charged in the alleged scheme to divert patients to Orange Community MRI in Orange, the U.S. Justice Department said in a release.
The doctors have offices in Newark, Orange, East Orange, West Orange or Irvington, authorities said.
In addition, the radiology and diagnostic facility's executive director, Chirag Patel, 36, of Warren, N.J., was arrested Thursday.
The scheme allegedly went on for at least a year and produced cash kickbacks of at least $51,500 from early October to early December alone, prosecutors said.
"Selling test referrals for cash is illegal," U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said. "Patients have every right to expect their doctors will recommend medical service providers because they do the best job, not because they provide the best bribes."
