Washington DC: An Indian-origin pharma tycoon Tonmoy Sharma was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport over an alleged drug fraud. Sharma was taken into custody by the US authorities on May 29 for allegedly being involved in a USD 149 million healthcare fraud. The 61-year-old internationally renowned psychiatrist is the founder and former CEO of the now-defunct Sovereign Health Group.
Notably, the pharma company is reportedly a California-based addiction treatment network. Sharma was arrested on an eight-count federal grand jury indictment. It was alleged that he submitted more than USD 149 million in fraudulent claims to health insurers, reported India Today.
Who Is Tonmoy Sharma?
Tonmoy Sharma is a pioneer in schizophrenia research and treatment. He is a native of Assam's Guwahati. Sharma earned his MBBS from Dibrugarh University in 1987, reported News18. He later moved to the US. He also held medical licenses in India and the United Kingdom. As per New18, Sharma also reportedly contributed to over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and five books.
All About The Case?
US Attorney's Office in the Central District of California alleged that the company fraudulently enrolled patients into insurance plans. Sharma also paid more than USD 21 million in illegal kickbacks for patient referrals, reported the media house citing a release from the US Justice Department.
Paul Jin Sen Khor, the co-defendant in the case, was also arrested and his trial is set for July 29. The Sovereign Health Group's founder has been indicted on four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy, and three counts of unlawfully paying for referring patients to clinical treatment facilities. Now-defunct Sovereign Health Group ran multiple addiction treatment centres in Southern California. The investigation into the matter began in 2017. The company was shut down in 2018.
Notably, the FBI also reportedly raided the company’s treatment centres, its San Clemente headquarters, and Sharma’s residence in San Juan Capistrano.
