Owners of two N.J. MRI Centers Plead Guilty to Paying Kickbacks

In a sign that the government is continuing its aggressive search for illegal kickbacks, 2 Philadelphia MRIs plead guilty to paying for referrals.

The owners of two South Jersey MRI facilities pleaded guilty Thursday to paying more than $30,000 to a doctor for patient referrals, according to the U.S. Attorney�s Office. Norman Brettler, 67, of Cherry Hill and Lee Getson, 62, of Southampton each pleaded guilty in Camden federal court to one count of conspiracy to pay kickbacks. Brettler and Getson owned Positioned Imaging Associates in Toms River and Tilton Dynamic Imaging in Northfield.

According to charges brought by the U.S. Attorney�s Office, Brettler and Getson agreed to pay a doctor, whose identity was not disclosed, more than $30,000 for referrals that resulted in more than $115,000 in Medicare payments to their MRI companies.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 — or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for June 29. The investigation was led by the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector Genera.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal

Source: CMS