Physician Charged with Conspiracy to Receive and Pay Illegal Health Care Kickbacks

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that a one-count Bill of Information was filed yesterday against a local ophthalmologist charging him with paying approximately $231,034 in illegal kickbacks.

Specifically, JOBIE CREAR, M.D., age 65, New Orleans, was charged with conspiracy to receive and pay health care kickbacks.  CREAR operated Comprehensive Nursing and Home Health Service, Inc. (Comprehensive) in New Orleans. CREAR is charged with illegally paying recruiters to bring Medicare beneficiaries to Comprehensive.

If convicted, CREAR, faces a possible maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  U.S. Attorney Patrice Harris Sullivan is in charge of the prosecution.