WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The trial on health care fraud charges has been delayed until spring for a prominent Florida eye doctor also linked to a corruption case against New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez.
A West Palm Beach federal judge ruled Thursday that Dr. Salomon Melgen should stand trial beginning March 6. The trial had been set for Sept. 19.
Prosecutors also claim Melgen misdiagnosed patients in a decade-long scheme to bilk Medicare out of up to $190 million. The scheme allegedly involved use of multiple doses from single-use vials of a drug used to treat age-related eye degeneration.
In the separate New Jersey case, prosecutors allege Melgen lavished Menendez with flights, vacations and campaign contributions so the senator would intercede on his behalf to influence Medicare officials on billing disputes.
