U.S. Attorney General Honors Fata Prosecution Team

The team responsible for the investigation and prosecution of Dr. Farid Fata was among 376 employees recognized by Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch today for their distinguished public service at the 64th Annual Attorney General’s Awards Ceremony.  This annual ceremony recognizes individuals for their outstanding service and dedication to carrying out the mission of the Department of Justice.

Among the employees recognized were Linda Aouate, Sarah Resnick Cohen, John K. Neal and Wayne F. Pratt, Assistant United States Attorneys, and Sandy Palazzolo, Victim-Witness Coordinator, from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan; Gejaa T. Gobena, former Deputy Chief, and Catherine K. Dick, Supervisory Trial Attorney, of the Fraud Section, Criminal Division; Joan E. Hartman, Trial Attorney, Fraud Section, Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division; Bryan Drake, William Brian Fairweather, Kevin J. Swanson, Special Agents, and LaFell D. Peoples, Forensic Accountant, Detroit Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Abhijit Dixit and Michael Fairbanks, Special Agents, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Kevin Nalu, Special Agent, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, U.S. Department of Treasury.

The team was presented the Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention.  This award recognizes exceptional dedication and effort to prevent, investigate and prosecute fraud, white-collar crimes and official corruption.  The team received this award for its work on the case of United States v. Farid Fata. 

Fata was a licensed medical doctor who owned and operated a cancer treatment clinic, Michigan Hematology Oncology P.C. (MHO), which had locations in Rochester Hills, Clarkston, Bloomfield Hills, Lapeer, Sterling Heights, Troy and Oak Park, Michigan.  He also owned a diagnostic testing facility, United Diagnostics PLLC, located in Rochester Hills. 

Fata was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in a health care fraud scheme that included prescribing and administering unnecessary aggressive chemotherapy, cancer treatments, intravenous iron and other infusion therapies to 553 individual patients to increase his billings to Medicare and other insurance companies.  Fata submitted fraudulent claims totaling approximately $34 million.  The team was successful in seizing approximately $11.9 million and put together a team of specialists to assist former patients and family members of Dr. Fata in submitting claims for restitution. 

“We are grateful for the work of the agents, prosecutors and victim coordinators who investigated and prosecuted the case against Dr. Fata.” McQuade said.  “This group worked around the clock to investigate allegations promptly and thoroughly to stop Dr. Fata from harming patients and bring him to justice.”  

“Dr. Fata prioritized greed for monetary gain over his oath to provide patients lifesaving care by deceitfully diagnosing cancer.  He subsequently prescribed toxic treatments to hundreds of individuals who suffered catastrophic harm and loss which will impact them and their families for decades”, said David P. Gelios, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  “I am so proud of the men and women of the Detroit FBI, Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, Department of Justice Medicare Fraud Strike Force and the U. S. Attorney’s Office for their recognition by Attorney General Lynch for the work they did to bring an end to this chapter of outrageous medical malpractice.  While this case shocked the nation’s conscience, it is important for the public to know the FBI and our partners will remain vigilant in keeping the people of the state of Michigan safe from unethical health care providers.”