Detroit-area cancer doctor arraigned on fraud indictment

Dr. Farid Fata accused of intentionally misdiagnosing cancer patients to defraud Medicare

DETROIT – A Detroit-area doctor accused of intentionally misdiagnosing cancer patients to defraud Medicare was arraigned Monday on a federal health care fraud indictment.

Dr. Farid Fata is being held at the Wayne County Jail on a $9 million bond after a judge decided he is a flight-risk.

View: Federal grand jury indictment against Fata

The government says Fata ripped off Medicare for millions of dollars by giving chemotherapy to patients who didn't need it and diagnosing cancer when the illness wasn't apparent.

READ: Criminal complaint against Farid Fata

Fata owns and operates Michigan Hematology Oncology Centers (MHO) which has offices in Clarkston, Bloomfield Hills, Lapeer, Sterling Heights, Troy and Oak Park.

Prosecutors want a total prohibition -- a total shutdown -- of his facilities.

Monday's court hearing was a brief one. It's not clear if Fata will post the boosted bond.