A probe by New Jersey state investigators into healthcare fraud has resulted in the arrest of a chiropractor who allegedly accepted illegal kickbacks in exchange for referring patients to an MRI facility.
Dr. Kesnold Baptiste was arrested and charged with healthcare claims fraud, conspiracy, and commercial bribery. He is charged with accepting money to refer patients to MRI centers in the state operated by Ata Chaudhry, who operates MRNJ Newark, MRNJ Oradell, and Hudson Radiology Center of New Jersey. Also charged was Tariq Din, who operates Open MRI of Clifton.
Investigators say that Din and Chaudhry last month pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, money laundering, commercial bribery, and misconduct of a corporate official. They were charged with paying over $850,000 in total to more than 15 physicians and other healthcare professionals in exchange for referrals to their MRI facilities.
Investigators also said the probe stems from Operation Rayscam, an investigation of illegal kickbacks for patient referrals in New Jersey that has ensnared a number of physicians and healthcare providers. The ringleader of that operation, Rehan Zuberi, has pleaded guilty and received a 10-year prison sentence.
