Indian pleads guilty to healthcare fraud

CORAPOLIS, PA — An Indian-American resident of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of unlawfully distributing controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and healthcare fraud.

Dr. Madhu Aggarwal, 68, pleaded guilty to the three counts before United States District Judge Arthur Schwab, the United States Attorney or the Western District of Pennsylvania Scott Brady announced on July 19.

The sentencing has been scheduled for November 28.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Aggarwal was a physician practicing at Redirections Treatment Advocates, a Suboxone clinic, located in Washington, PA, and that she and others conspired together to create and submit unlawful prescriptions for buprenorphine, and then unlawfully dispensed those controlled substances to other people.

Aggarwal is also charged with healthcare fraud for allegedly causing fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare for payments to cover the costs of the unlawfully prescribed buprenorphine.

Aggarwal could face a total per count sentence of maximum 10 years in prison, a fine of $500,000.00, or both, for the controlled substances offenses.

She also faces an additional maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and fine of $250,000.00 for the healthcare fraud charge. Pending sentencing, the court continued Aggarwal on bond.