Renton Genetic Testing Firm Bribed Doctors, Feds Say

RENTON, WA — Federal prosecutors in Seattle say they have settled with doctors from Alabama and Louisiana accusing of taking kickbacks from a defunct Renton genetic testing company.

According to prosecutors, Natural Molecular Testing Corporation (NMTC), which was located in an office park near Valley Medical Center, paid three doctors to order genetic tests specifically from the company. NMTC then billed Medicare for the tests, prosecutors claim.

The bribes happened in 2012 and 2013, prosecutors said. NMTC declared bankruptcy in 2013, before the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services could collect a $70 million claim against the company.

The three doctors and a Birmingham, Ala., cardiology practice will pay a combined $1.1 million in fines to settle claims under the Anti-Kickback Statute and the civil False Claims Act. The doctors did not admit liability as part of the settlement.