18 June 2011

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Dr.Gautam Gupta wanted by FBI Fraud Charges Filed against Weight-Loss Doctor – May be in India

Dr.Gautam Gupta wanted by FBI Fraud Charges Filed against Weight-Loss Doctor
– May be in India

FBI ChicagoJune 17, 2011
Special Agent Ross Rice
(312) 829-1199

The FBI has launched an international manhunt for Dr. Gautam Gupta, a Chicago-area weight-loss physician well-known for his frequent radio ads.

Criminal charges alleging that the owner of a chain of medically supervised weight-loss clinics defrauded both a private health insurance company and the Illinois Medicaid program were filed earlier this week, announced Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).


Mr. Grant was joined by Hiram Grau, Director of the Illinois State Police and Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) in announcing the charges.



Dr. GAUTAM GUPTA, who owns and operates the Nutrition Clinic, with locations in Arlington Heights, Chicago, Naperville, Rockford and South Beloit, was charged with one count each of Mail Fraud, Health Care Fraud and Conspiracy, all of which are felony offenses, in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield.

The complaint alleges that Dr. GUPTA, or members of his staff acting at his direction, submitted claims to both the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Company and the Illinois Medicaid program for unnecessary procedures or procedures which were never performed.

The complaint indicates that, during the period of June 2001 through January of 2010, the Nutrition Clinic was paid nearly $25 million for claims submitted on behalf of clinic patients.

Attempts to locate and apprehend Dr. GUPTA have thus far been unsuccessful.
As such, he is now the subject of a nationwide manhunt which is being coordinated by the Chicago FBI. Dr. GUPTA, whose last known address was 1660 North Mulford Road in Rockford, is described as a white/male of Indian descent, 57 years of age, 5’5” tall, 160 pounds, graying black hair which is sometimes worn in a ponytail, and brown eyes.

Anyone recognizing Dr. Gupta or having any information about his current whereabouts is asked to call the Chicago FBI at (312) 421-6700.

This case was investigated jointly by the Chicago FBI, the Illinois State Police—Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau, and the HHS-OIG.

If convicted of the charges filed against him, Dr. Gupta faces a possible sentence of up to 35 years’ incarceration.

Federal authorities believe Gupta has fled the country and may be in India, according to a filing in federal court in Springfield. Interpol has been alerted.

In 1999, the state agency that regulates physicians suspended Dr.Guptas controlled-substance licenses for one year. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation took the action because Gupta failed "to properly apprise female patients of the procedures required in heart and lung examinations"

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused Gupta in 2008 of insider trading, alleging a brother of a Georgia-Pacific board member illegally shared information on a deal with Gupta, who then bought more than $1 million of Georgia-Pacific securities and gained $689,401 in profits.

As part of the judgment against him, Gupta was ordered to pay back profits with interest and to pay an equal amount in penalties.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Additional copies of the attached wanted flyer and the criminal complaint filed in this case are available from the Chicago FBI’s press office at (312) 829-1199.

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Saturday, June 18, 2011

Keyword Tag – FBI wanted Dr.Gautam Gupta Weight Loss Chicago

2 comments:

Urmi June 18, 2011  

Thanks a lot for your lovely comment.
Oh my God! I was not aware at all. Great post.

sm,  June 18, 2011  

Babli,,
thanks