Somerset Doctor Defrauded Veterans Affairs 350 Times: U.S. Attorney

SOMERSET, NJ — A cardiologist from Somerset admitted Thursday to defrauding the Veterans Affairs program by billing for services he had not actually performed, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Apostolos Voudouris, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls in Newark federal court to information charging him with health care fraud. Voudouris must also pay $476,460 to resolve the government’s claims under the False Claims Act as part of a civil settlement agreement.

Voudouris, a physician specializing in cardiology and electrophysiology, began providing services to eligible veterans at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in East Orange, pursuant to his contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2006.

On more than 350 occasions between 2011 and 2015, Voudouris claimed he performed procedures he had not actually performed. By doing so, Voudouris fraudulently received $238,230 from the VA, he admitted.

Voudouris faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

Sentencing is currently scheduled for Dec. 12. As part of his plea agreement, Voudouris must pay restitution of $238,230 to the VA in addition to the $476,460 civil settlement, for a total of $714,690.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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