Three spine surgeons were denied motions for a new trial March 23 after a Texas federal judge deemed their arguments meritless, reports Law360.
In April 2019, spine surgeons Michael Rimlawi, MD, Douglas Won, MD, and Shawn Henry, DO, and pain management physician Mrugeshkumar Shah, MD, were found guilty of bribery and both paying and accepting kickbacks.
The physicians sought a new trial, claiming that the federal Anti-Kickback Statute — the law under which they were convicted — is unconstitutionally vague.
Prosecutors argued the physicians referred patients to Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas in exchange for money to advertise their practices, which helped some of their practices grow significantly.
The now defunct hospital was also found to have illegally paid for operations to enhance its bottom line before it closed.