Tulsa Physician Pays Over $600k to Resolve Allegations of False Claims Act Violations

US Department of Justice, Northern District of Oklahoma, August 9, 2024

TULSA, Okla. — This week, Dr. Azhar Shakeel, M.D. agreed to pay $619,994 to the government to resolve a pending lawsuit filed by the United States and the State of Oklahoma pursuant to their respective False Claims Act statutes.

“This case resolution demonstrates holding physicians and health care providers accountable for fraudulent billing of government health care programs,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Through our coordinated efforts with law enforcement partners, we will continue to protect these programs. As a result, fraud proceeds are returned to American taxpayers and the health care programs that support our most vulnerable population.”

“I appreciate the successful collaboration by multiple law enforcement agencies and the tremendous work by the Oklahoma Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to resolve this case and return the tax dollars that were wrongfully taken from Oklahomans,” said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. “Healthcare providers have a responsibility to bill government healthcare programs fairly and I will always work to hold accountable anyone who tries to cheat the system.”

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