Judge Keeps Detroit-Area Doctor Locked Up On Fraud Charges
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Saying it's not even close, a judge is keeping a Detroit-area doctor behind bars while he awaits trial in a case of alleged fraud involving botched back surgeries.
Judge Paul Borman believes there's a serious risk that Dr. Aria Sabit will flee the country if granted bond. The decision was released Friday, nearly two weeks after hearing arguments.
Sabit is accused of billing insurers for bogus procedures and deceiving patients about how he planned to fix their spines. The 40-year-old doctor allegedly promised patients certain spinal surgeries to alleviate their pain, but actually performed other procedures that brought no relief.
Prosecutors fear Sabit will flee to Afghanistan, his native country, or elsewhere if he's released on bond. His lawyers say he wouldn't go anywhere.
The criminal complaint against Sabit describes allegations of malpractice involving five patients, but the FBI believes there are many more who learned their back surgery wasn't the procedure promised by the doctor.
The Bloomfield Hills man surrendered his California medical license last summer after similar malpractice allegations. And in a separate action, the government is suing Sabit in Los Angeles over alleged kickbacks received for using certain spinal implants.
Sabit has been in custody since Nov. 24.
MORE: FBI Announces Hotline For Information Pertaining To Back Surgeon Charged With Fraud
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