Michigan Doctor Who Gave Chemotherapy to Healthy Patients Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison

Former Michigan oncologist and hematologist Farid Fata, who administered chemotherapy on patients who did not have cancer, have been sentenced to 45 years imprisonment last Friday for health care fraudulence through patient exploitation.

Dr. Farid Fata, 50, pleaded guilty for 13 counts of Medicare fraud, two counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to receive kickbacks, according to CNN.

In the public memorandum released by the government in May, Newsweek reports that Fata has been accused by prosecutors of giving out over 9,000 injections and infusions to patients who did not need the treatment. It is estimated that he victimized more than 500 people over six years, incurring almost $35-million worth of insurance billings. He was dubbed by Federal prosecutors as the "most egregious fraudster in the history of this country."

The report added that Fata intentionally misdiagnosed his patients  on purpose so he could give them dangerous chemotherapy and even encouraged the unnecessary treatments in terminally ill patients.

Fata was emotional before the court of US District Judge Paul Borman last Friday.

"I have violated the medical oath, and I have caused anguish. ... I do not know how I can heal their wounds. I do not know what to do to express my sorrow and shame. Yes, I have accepted responsibility and admitted I am wrong. I did not feel I deserved a trial," Fata said in a statement reported by Michigan Live.

Fata forfeited $17.6 million that he received from Medicare and various insurance companies. His medical licenses in Pennsylvania and Michigan have also been revoked. Fata's defense lawyers said that the doctor also lost his family, as his wife and children have moved away from the country. His only visitors in the last two years are his defense attorneys.

According to Daily Mail, it was Fata's own employee who turned him in for malpractice. George Karadsheh was the office manager of Fata's Crittenton Cancer Center in Detroit. Karadsheh's investigation was brought around by the high resignation rate among Fata's employees. He had been told by the outgoing staff that Fata may have been misdiagnosing and giving chemotherapy to people who do not have cancer.

When Karadsheh was asked about Dr. Fata's sentence, he told ABC News "Nightline" that he was relieved.

"I'm relieved that Dr. Fata has been held accountable," he said.  "But I'm also very sad because I feel the patients endured pain and suffering that's going to last far longer than the sentence that was imposed upon Dr. Fata," he said.