Monmouth County Doctor Pled Guilty To Taking Bribes For Test Referrals

A 53-year-old Monmouth County doctor admitted in federal court today that he took bribes in exchange for test referrals as part of along-running and elaborate scheme operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS) located in Parsippany.

Ralph Messo has practices in both Colts Neck, where he lives, and Staten Island and admitted to one count of accepting bribes.

“Including Messo, 34 people – 23 of them doctors – have pleaded guilty in connection with the bribery scheme, which its organizers have admitted involved millions of dollars in bribes and resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from Medicare and various private insurance companies, “ according to U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman in a press release.

More than $10.5 million has been recovered through foreclosure since the investigation.

According to documents filed in this and related cases and statements made in court:

• Messo admitted he accepted bribes in return for referring patient blood specimens to BLS and was paid approximately $3,000 per month. Messo’s referrals generated at least $828,000 in lab business for BLS.

• On April 9, 2013, federal agents arrested David Nicoll, 40, of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, Scott Nicoll, 33, of Wayne, New Jersey, a senior BLS employee and David Nicoll’s brother, and Craig Nordman, 35, of Whippany, New Jersey, a BLS employee and the CEO of Advantech Sales LLC – one of several entities used by BLS to make illegal payments.

• They were charged by federal complaint with the bribery conspiracy, along with the BLS company and Frank Santangelo, 44, of Boonton, New Jersey.

• In June 2013, David and Scott Nicoll, Nordman and four other associates of BLS pleaded guilty to charges related to their involvement. Santangelo, a doctor, pleaded guilty in August 2013 to charges relating to his role in the scheme.

• The bribery count to which Messo pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12, 2015. As part of his guilty plea, Messo must forfeit $82,500, representing the total bribe monies received from BLS.