At least 30 Chicago-area doctors have been subpoenaed as part of a federal investigation into allegations that a prominent surgery center entrepreneur improperly paid surgeons to bring cases to his facilities, according to a news report.
Federal investigators issued search warrants in January for 2 Chicago surgery centers owned by Raghuveer Nayak, a wealthy businessman who has ties to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., reports the Chicago Sun-Times, citing anonymous sources "with knowledge of the investigation."
The FBI and IRS are investigating whether Mr. Nayak paid doctors hundreds of dollars for every surgical case they brought to his centers. Mr. Nayak's attorney declined to comment on the investigation.
Sources tell the Sun-Times that at least 30 physicians and 10 of Nayak's employees have been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury in connection with the case. According to the report, several of the doctors have been offered or granted immunity in exchange for their testimony. But if the physicians admit wrongdoing, their medical licenses could still be in jeopardy.
Mr. Nayak was previously accused of offering to raise money for then-Gov. Blagojevich in exchange for appointing Rep. Jackson to the Senate seat vacated by Pres. Obama in 2008. A longtime friend and fundraiser for Rep. Jackson, Mr. Nayak has cooperated with authorities, telling them in 2008 that the congressman had approached him with the idea of offering to raise money for the governor in exchange for the Senate appointment. Rep. Jackson denied that claim and was never charged. Former Gov. Blagojevich faces retrial next week over his alleged attempt to sell the Senate seat.
Irene Tsikitas
