Indian-origin pharma tycoon Tonmoy Sharma arrested in Los Angeles over $149 million healthcare fraud
Indian-origin pharma tycoon Tonmoy Sharma arrested in California.
Indian-origin doctor and businessman, the founder and former CEO of the now-defunct Sovereign Health Group, was recently arrested over $149 million medical fraud. The 61-year-old psychiatrist has been charged with four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy and three counts of illegal remunerations for referrals to clinical treatment facilities.
What was the medical fraud? What was Sharma's modus operandi?
Tonmoy Sharma's Sovereign Health Group was a prominent addiction treatment provider throughout Southern California and several other states. According to court documents, the company billed private insurance companies for drug addicted and mentally ill patients at extremely high rates between 2014 and 2020.
Sovereign used to pursue patients aggressively through various forms of marketing forcing them to get admitted to the company's treatment facilities.
The patients were told that their treatment would be paid by a foundation funded by the donations from former SDpvereign patients. There was no such actual foundation and it was a ruse for Sovereign employees. They obtained patients' names, date of birth and Social Security numbers and then obtained health insurance coverage on their behalf while the patients remained in the dark.
Sovereign employees sometimes pretended to be the patients when calling into these insurance companies.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You
Dubai villas | search ads
Get Deals
Undo
At Sharma's direction, the court documents said, the employees claimed qualifying life events that had not happened in order to obtain new insurance outside the enrollment period and inflating or underreporting their income so the patients would qualify for Affordable Care Act government-subsidized private insurance instead of Medicaid, whose reimbursement rates were significantly lower than private insurers.
Sovereign also paid more than $21 million in illegal kickbacks for patient referrals to patient brokers.
Originally from Assam's Dibrugarh, Sharma studied MBBS from Dibrugarh University. Sharma's medical license was once revoked while he was practicing in the UK before he established his career in California.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
No gym, no fees, only ChatGPT: Woman shares free AI apps for fitness diets, workouts, health tracking
In a growing shift towards tech-driven fitness solutions, a new trend is emerging — people are replacing traditional gym instructors with artificial intelligence. The combination of accessibility, customization, and cost-effectiveness has made AI tools an increasingly popular alternative to personal trainers. From building strength to managing diets, individuals are using free AI apps like ChatGPT to take full control of their health and fitness routines. Turning to AI for Fitness and Motivation For many, staying fit has long been tied to expensive gym memberships, group classes, and branded activewear. However, these costs don't always translate into consistent results. In one such case, a woman decided to rework her entire approach by using ChatGPT and other AI tools to manage her workouts, track progress, and design meal plans. She reported becoming stronger, leaner, and more self-disciplined — all while saving hundreds of dollars over time, as per Business Insider. Initially reliant on a gym instructor for motivation and structure, she experienced a drop in consistency when her trainer left. Attempts to switch gyms or test alternatives failed to yield long-term commitment. Despite trying habit-tracking methods and motivational purchases, her fitness goals remained out of reach until she decided to build her own routine with AI's support. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A brain tumor threatens his life. Please save him. Donate For Health Donate Now Undo ChatGPT and Free Apps That Deliver Results With prior experience using ChatGPT and Perplexity AI for daily tasks like recipes and trip planning, she repurposed the tool to create customized workout routines. Each week, she entered her progress and goals into ChatGPT and received updated training plans. This not only kept her accountable but also allowed her to adapt workouts based on her own feedback — something she hadn't achieved even with in-person trainers. She also turned to ChatGPT to better understand the science behind nutrition, including protein requirements for muscle growth. This led her to use additional free apps like Cronometer, which helped her track calories, macronutrients, and even micronutrients such as iron and vitamins. Another recommended app, Hevy, enabled her to log workout reps in real-time, while Gymmade offered animated demonstrations for weight training — giving her confidence in using equipment effectively. Within weeks, she began to notice tangible results. Her muscle tone improved, she doubled her lifting weight, and her energy levels increased. She even discontinued her gym membership in favor of using a free local outdoor facility. Importantly, the shift was not just physical but mental — she credited AI tools for helping her understand discipline, motivation, and habit formation more deeply. AI Fitness: Growing Popularity, But Caution Urged Her experience mirrors that of others. Siliguri-based Avirup Nag, who preferred vegetarian diet plans, and Mumbai's Shantanu Pednekar, who needed help with portion control, also found success using AI. New Delhi's Anjana PV used AI to modify her plan when dealing with physical discomfort and received tailored suggestions to adjust her workout without overexertion. For these users, AI acted like a virtual coach — offering structure, detailed feedback, and real-time guidance. Experts agree that AI has made it possible to personalise workouts based on individual goals and fitness levels. But they also caution users not to rely entirely on it. Fitness professionals like Kushal Pal Singh of Anytime Fitness note that while AI can create routines, it can't monitor form or prevent injury like a human trainer can. Benefits and Boundaries Users widely praise AI for being cost-effective and convenient. As Anjana pointed out, she was paying Rs 3,500 per month for a personal trainer before realizing AI was offering nearly identical guidance — for free. Still, health professionals warn that AI tools are only as good as the data provided to them. They may miss nuances such as movement issues, injury risks, or dietary preferences unless manually addressed. Nutritionist Muskan Soni highlighted that AI-generated meal plans often lack variety and fail to consider mental and physical health factors. This can lead to diet fatigue or plans that don't suit individual lifestyles. Despite its limitations, AI's ability to provide structure, research-backed information, and real-time adjustments has made it a powerful tool for self-driven fitness.
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Navy to induct first anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft 'Arnala' at Vizag on Jun 18
The first warship in the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft series, equipped to conduct subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations, is set to be inducted into the Indian Navy on June 18, officials said on Friday. The commissioning ceremony of 'Arnala' at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam will be presided over by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan. "The warship incorporates more than 80 per cent indigenous content and integrates advanced systems from leading Indian defence firms, including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defence, and MEIL," a Navy spokesperson said. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo The commissioning of 'Arnala' will mark a transformative moment in India's naval capabilities, strengthening coastal defence and reaffiliate India's position as a self-reliant maritime power in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region, he said. Designed for a range of ASW (anti-submarine warfare) operations, 'Arnala' is equipped to conduct subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations, the Navy spokesperson said. Live Events The 77-metre long warship, with a gross tonnage of over 1490 tonnes, is the largest Indian naval warship to be propelled by a diesel engine-waterjet combination, the Navy said. The event will mark the formal induction of the first of the sixteen anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) class ships into the Indian Navy. The ceremony will be hosted by Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, and attended by senior naval officials, distinguished guests, and representatives from the shipbuilders and various other agencies associated with its construction. Designed and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under a public-private partnership (PPP) with L&T Shipbuilders, 'Arnala' is a testament to the success of the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative in defence manufacturing. Constructed under the guidance of the Directorate of Ship Production and the oversight of the Warship Overseeing Teams in Kolkata and Kattupalli, 'Arnala' was delivered to the Indian Navy on May 8, the Navy spokesperson said. The project has engaged over 55 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), promoting domestic industry and generating related economic activity, he said. Named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai in Maharashtra, the warship reflects India's rich maritime heritage. Constructed in 1737 by the Marathas under the leadership of Chimaji Appa, the fort was strategically positioned to oversee the Vaitarna River's mouth, serving as a sentinel over the northern Konkan coast, the Navy said. "Much like the fort, which stood resiliently against various threats, the ship is designed to have a formidable presence at sea. Its robust construction and advanced capabilities ensure that it can withstand the challenges of the maritime domain, safeguarding India's waters from emerging threats," it said. The crest of 'Arnala' features a stylised auger shell set against a blue backdrop, with the ship's name inscribed in Devanagari script at the base. "The auger shell, known for its spiralled, reinforced structure and precision tip, symbolises resilience, vigilance, survival, and dominance in challenging environments, which mirrors the essence of the ship built to withstand the relentless forces of the ocean and undertake flawless anti-submarine operations with precise ordnance on target," the Navy said. The ship's armoured hull mirrors the fort's enduring stone walls, while its state-of-the-art weaponry and sensors replace the cannons that once defended against invaders. 'Arnala' embodies the strategic might and historical significance of its namesake, proving that while battlefields may change, the spirit of defence remains unwavering, whether on land or at sea, it said. Beneath the ship's crest, a ribbon gracefully unfurls, proudly displaying the ship's motto -- 'Arnave Shauryam', meaning 'Valour in the Ocean'. This inscription embodies the ship's unwavering courage, formidable strength and dominance over the vast seas. It serves as a constant inspiration for the crew, urging them to remain steadfast and fearless in the face of any challenge at sea, the Navy spokesperson said.
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Maharashtra reports 114 new COVID-19 cases; one more patient dies
As many as 114 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Maharashtra, taking the count to 1,276 since January this year, while one more patient succumbed to the infection, pushing up the toll to 18, the state health department said on Friday. Of these cases, 44 were detected in Pune (42 in civic limits in two in rural areas), 37 in Mumbai and seven each in Mira Bhayandar and Panvel Municipal Corporation areas. They were followed by civic areas of Navi Mumbai (4), Pimpri-Chinchwad (6), Kalyan (3), Thane, Satara, Kolhapur, Sangli, Chatrapati Sambhajinagar and Parbhani (one case each), a health department statement said. The department has conducted 15,510 COVID-19 tests since January, of which 1,276 were reported positive, it said. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo Meanwhile, the total number of cases in Mumbai since January stood at 612, most of them were recorded in May, it said. One more patient has died since Thursday, taking the toll to 18. Of these, 17 patients suffered from comorbidities (simultaneous presence of two or more medical conditions), said the department. Live Events Meanwhile, Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli civic corporations released separate data and reported nine new COVID-19 cases in areas under jurisdiction. The number of active patients currently receiving treatment or under home observation across both civic bodies stood at 38, according to official data released by Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli municipal corporations. The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) registered 6 new cases, bringing the city's total case count to 137 since the beginning of the latest outbreak. In an official release, the TMC stated, "So far, 107 patients have been discharged, while the number of persons admitted to hospitals stood at 11. The city has registered one death so far." The neighbouring Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), in a separate release, said three new COVID-19 patients were detected in civic areas, taking the tally so far to 18. The death toll remained unchanged at three, it added.
