Ex-fugitive doctors faces sentencing for tax, fraud charges
JOHNSTOWN (AP) – A Western Pennsylvania doctor who eluded prosecution on health care fraud and income tax charges by moving to Central America for several years, is scheduled for sentencing.
Sixty-five-year-old Dr. William Acosta was arrested in Panama last year and in January pleaded guilty to filing false personal and corporate tax returns and health care fraud.
Acosta was a neurologist who formerly practiced in Johnstown before he fled to the Dominican Republic when he learned federal authorities were investigating him.
According to a criminal complaint filed in early 2008, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General concluded that Acosta was overbilling private insurance companies and Medicare for services not rendered. The Internal Revenue Service then concluded that Acosta didn’t properly report his income.
A federal judge in Johnstown will sentence Acosta Thursday.