Louisiana Doctor Pleads Guilty to Fraud

A Lake Charles, La., doctor has pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies out of nearly $1 million.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley says Dr. Lynn E. Foret entered the plea Thursday before U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik.

According to the bill of information, the 63-year-old Foret injected his patients’ knees with a steroid solution while falsely billing and receiving payments for a more costly drug called Hyalgan. From 2003 to 2009, he received reimbursements totaling $948,249.11.

Foret, who specialized in orthopedic surgery, closed his practice in December.

Foret faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, restitution and three years of supervised release. A sentencing date has not been set.