Indian-American doctor, Rajendra Bothra, 77, who was awarded Padmashri and was indicted in one of the largest healthcare fraud cases in the United States' history involving a USD 464 million conspiracy, was freed on a record-setting USD 7 million bond. The winner of India's fourth-highest civilian award, along with five other physicians, was inducted in the alleged USD 464 million healthcare fraud conspiracy, which the federal government said fuelled the opioid epidemic.
Despite the government's concern that the doctor has hidden money that could bankroll an escape to his native India, US District Judge Stephen Murphy granted the bond for him According to Detroit news, Bothra, of Bloomfield Hills, who will be released on home confinement and tracked by a GPS tether, must identify all assets under penalty of perjury. The report further said that being the lead defendant in one of the largest healthcare fraud cases in the US history, he must liquidate a USD 8.5 million retirement account to cover the bond, a process that could take three days.
His wife and daughter, who attended the hearing Tuesday, will surrender their passports to alleviate concerns that the family might flee while Bothra awaits trial in July. Bothra has deep ties to India, including investments and several siblings. He is one of the most high-profile Indian-American Republican Party activists and fundraisers.
