ROCHESTER HILLS —A physician is accused of misdiagnosing patients with cancer and making them undergo chemotherapy deliberately to enrich himself. Dr. Farid Fata was arrested Tuesday morning at his Rochester Hills practice by federal agents. 

He appeared in court Thursday, and faced  Judge David Grant who set the conditions of his release. He’s been put on a tether, and is prohibited from working in any medical practice.  

His passport has also been revoked. Families attended the court hearing trying to urge the judge to not release him on bond. According to a report, Fata, 48, was charged with healthcare fraud for his alleged role in a $35 million scheme to submit false claims to Medicare for treatments that were medically unnecessary. 

Dr. Farid Fata

A filed complaint shows Fata practices at his Michigan Hematology Oncology Centers in Clarkston, Bloomfield Hills, Lapeer, Sterling Heights, Troy and Oak Park. There are claims that Fata administered chemotherapy to patients who had no chance of survival, and that he intentionally misdiagnosed patients, so he could charge Medicare for high cost procedures. Several patients have come forward to share stories about their experiences with Fata. His wife is the CFO of his company, the couple has three children. 

Dr. Fata’s website for his Michigan Hematology Oncology practice promises the “Best Cancer Care-Anywhere.” Federal agents say an even worse crime than cheating Medicare is the “administration of chemotherapy to end-of-life patients who would not benefit from the treatment,” and purposely misdiagnosing patients without cancer to justify expensive testing.”

Fata’s house in Oakland township, and offices in Clarkston and Bloomfield Hills were searched by federal agents. On Tuesday the FBI took boxes into the Rochester Hills location to start executing their search warrant, and collect patient records and additional evidence. U.S. Attorneys argue Fata is a flight risk because he has a home in Lebanon. If you have more information on the case call the U.S. Attorneys Office Information Line at 888.702.0553.