Eye Doctor Sentenced to Prison in Fraud Case

He was convicted of performing unnecessary procedures.

A Florida ophthalmologist who was convicted in a Medicare fraud case has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, The Associated Press reports.

Dr. Salomon Melgen was convicted on dozens of counts related to the scheme, including health care fraud. He was accused of performing procedures that weren’t necessary.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra also ordered Melgen to pay nearly $43 million in restitution, the AP reports.

Marra found that, according to the evidence, Melgen stole a minimum of $73 million.

Melgen’s crimes carried a maximum penalty of life in prison. Prosecutors had asked for a 30-year sentence.

Separately, Melgen was charged with bribing U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey. His trial ended with a hung jury in November. He and Menendez were alleged to have swapped “lavish gifts for government favors,” according to AP.

Prosecutors don’t plan to retry that case, AP reports.

Read more at The Associated Press