Grand Jury Indicts Rhode Island Doctor for Health Care Fraud

A grand jury has reportedly indicted a North Providence doctor for inflating bills to health care insurers, illegally prescribing drugs and money laundering.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said Tarek Wehbe was indicted Wednesday on 152 counts. Now a fugitive, he is believed to be living in Lebanon.

Wehbe operated the Renaissance Medical Group in Providence, which treated more than 8,000 patients from 2002-06.

Prosecutors say Wehbe submitted false claims to insurance carriers for drug infusion therapies and other patient visits. The paperwork apparently showed Wehbe working more than 24 hours a day.

The doctor also is said to be accused of writing prescriptions without adequately checking his patients.

Wehbe’s attorney, John Tarantino, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.