Lebanese doctor Farid Fata wants a “compassionate” release from prison because his health is so poor, he says, he might catch the Chinese virus and die in the slammer. With a 45 year sentence that is likely anyway, COVID or no COVID.
I mentioned Fata last September in a list of Michigan docs involved in pushing opiods, but he was given that long sentence because his crimes were much worse. Even worse than bilking Medicare.
From the Macomb Daily:
Farid Fata seeks ‘compassionate’ release due to potential for contracting coronavirus
Former cancer doctor Farid Fata, imprisoned for illicit treatment of patients, is seeking release from his 45-year term due to “deteriorating health” and the likelihood he will contract COVID-19.
Fata, 55, of Oakland Township, claims he suffers from several medical issues and is susceptible to contracting and dying from the coronavirus, which has spread through the federal prison system,according to document filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Detroit.
“With Fata’s medical conditions and age, contracting COVID-19 could very well prove fatal,” his attorney, Jeremy Gordon, says in a 13-page legal brief accompanied by exhibits submitted to Judge Paul Borman.
[….]
Gordon notes there have been at least 40 deaths of inmates in federal prisons nationwide due to the coronavirus pandemic, and nearly 2,000 inmates and 356 Bureau of Prisons staff have tested positive for the virus.
He says several inmates have been granted “compassionate release” due to the coronavirus, including many in the past week alone.
Fata’s request prompted a disgusted response from attorney Brian McKeen, who represented dozens of victims in a malpractice lawsuit against Fata.
“What a joke,” McKeen said. “The man got what he deserved. He had no compassion for the lives of his patients. He caused unspeakable suffering and pain, and deserves to be where he is for the rest of his life. People went through living hell because of Dr. Fata.”
[….]
He made millions of dollars providing 2,770 unnecessary chemotherapy treatments to 100 patients; in all, there were more than 550 victims from throughout Southeast Michigan. Advocates for some deceased patients say Fata was responsible for their demise, and many patients suffered various ailments due to unnecessary treatment, such as organ damage, lost teeth, nerve damage and lost bone in sinus cavities.
Fata was ordered to pay $26.5 million in restitution to individuals, health insurance companies and federal agencies.
Much more here.