A Toms River bone doctor risks up to five years in prison for each of three counts related to a kickback scheme that state investigators allege reaped him thousands of dollars.

money-300x2001
loading...

Osteopath Vincent Destasio, 54, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Newark Thursday, according to information from New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman's office.

Destasio awaits arraignment for one count of conspriacy to accept cash bribes and two substantive counts of accepting cash bribes.

Federal prosecutors allege that from March 2014 to May 2015, Destasio took cash from two sales executives to steer patients to two blood and DNA test labs they represented.

Daniel Gilman and Kenneth Robberson, the salesmen and partners in the PROMED marketing firm, have pleaded guilty for conspiring to bribe a physician and await sentencing.

Information from Fishman's office did not identify the labs, stating that neither lab was aware of the alleged scheme. Investigators said that both firms paid monthly commissions to Gilman and Robberson for referrals, amounting to 10 percent of insurance reimbursements, including payments from Medicare.

The sales partners paid Destasio based on the number of patients he referred, investigators said.

In addition to possible prison time, Destasio also risks a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is higher. He would also be required to forfeit $25,000 if convicted.

More From Beach Radio