Attorney, accountant charged in alleged insurance scam at Buena Park, CA, surgery center

Los Angeles Times, June 30, 2008

An attorney and an accountant have been charged in an alleged medical insurance scam in which thousands of patients were allegedly recruited to undergo unnecessary procedures at a Buena Park, CA, surgical center in exchange for cash or gifts. The indictment brings to 19 the number of doctors, administrators, recruiters and others charged in the case surrounding the Unity Outpatient Surgery Center, which is now closed. The operation aggressively recruited more than 2,000 patients from around the country to have unneeded procedures, including colonoscopies. In exchange, prosecutors said, the patients were rewarded with cash, vacations and cosmetic surgery, including tummy tucks and face-lifts.