A former podiatrist, who practiced in Gates, N.Y., and pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud charges, has avoided the five years of prison time recommended by prosecutors, according to a WHEC news report.
Michael Akyuz admitted to billing Medicare for expensive podiatry procedures when, in fact, he did not do much more than clip elderly patients' toenails. As a result, he bilked almost $750,000 from the federal healthcare program, according to the report.
Although prosecutors recommended a prison term of 41-51 months, Mr. Akyuz was sentenced to five years probation after the judge heard Mr. Akyuz filed the false claims to take care of his four autistic children's healthcare costs. According to the report, the judge took his personal situation into consideration and decided the impact on the children would be devastating if he were sent to prison.
Mr. Akyuz' attorney said that the former physician has already lost his job, medical license, home and reputation as a result of the fraud case against him. He will still have to pay restitution in addition to his probation, according to the report.
Read the WHEC news report about Mr. Michael Akyuz' sentence.
Read other coverage about physician fraud:
- Los Angeles Physicians Charged for Roles in $5M Medicare Scam
- Kentucky Podiatrist Accused of 23 Counts of Medicaid Fraud
Michael Akyuz admitted to billing Medicare for expensive podiatry procedures when, in fact, he did not do much more than clip elderly patients' toenails. As a result, he bilked almost $750,000 from the federal healthcare program, according to the report.
Although prosecutors recommended a prison term of 41-51 months, Mr. Akyuz was sentenced to five years probation after the judge heard Mr. Akyuz filed the false claims to take care of his four autistic children's healthcare costs. According to the report, the judge took his personal situation into consideration and decided the impact on the children would be devastating if he were sent to prison.
Mr. Akyuz' attorney said that the former physician has already lost his job, medical license, home and reputation as a result of the fraud case against him. He will still have to pay restitution in addition to his probation, according to the report.
Read the WHEC news report about Mr. Michael Akyuz' sentence.
Read other coverage about physician fraud:
- Los Angeles Physicians Charged for Roles in $5M Medicare Scam
- Kentucky Podiatrist Accused of 23 Counts of Medicaid Fraud