Andrew Ford
A Monmouth County doctor admitted he accepted bribes in return for referring patient blood specimens to Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC, according to U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman. Ralph Messo, 53, was paid about $3,000 per month. The Colts Neck man’s referrals generated at least $828,000 in lab business for BLS.
Messo pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to one count of accepting bribes.
Thirty-four people, including Messo, have pleaded guilty in connection with the bribery scheme. Twenty-three are doctors.
Organizers of the scheme have admitted it involved millions of dollars in bribes and resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from Medicare and various private insurance companies. The investigation has so far recovered more than $10.5 million to date through forfeiture.
The bribery count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12. As part of his guilty plea, Messo must give up $82,500, the amount of bribe money he received from BLS.
Source: app
