News-At-A-Glance: Another Physician Admits Accepting Bribes From BLS

Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services (BLS) paid $1,800 a month to 60-year-old Dr. Charles Goldberg in exchange for referrals of lab tests as part of a sham lease agreement at his Montclair, N.J., medical practice, according to a Feb. 26 Department of Justice (DOJ) announcement. So far, 23 people, including 12 physicians, have admitted to participating in the bribery scheme organized by BLS. According to the DOJ, the scheme resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from government and private payers. Goldberg faces a potential $250,000 fine and a maximum five years in prison when he is sentenced on a date yet to be determined, in addition to $58,000 already forfeited representing the amount of the bribes he received.