Latest news with #Zishan
Miami Herald
15 hours ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
Lab owner gets 7 years in prison for faking COVID-19 test results
June 19 (UPI) -- The owner of a Chicago laboratory was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in a $14 million scheme of falsifying COVID-19 test results. Zishan, Alvi, 46 of Inverness, Ill., was sentenced Wednesday for the scheme and was ordered to pay $14 million in illegitimate taxpayer-backed payments. The fraud involved releasing negative test results to patients, even when the laboratory had not conducted the tests, or the results had been diluted by Alvi to save on costs. U.S. District Judge John Tharp sentenced Alvi and called his actions "fraud on a massive scale," and said how it also put the public in unsafe circumstances when they were seeking reassurance through testing. "People were scrambling to get tested for COVID because they didn't want to imperil the safety and health of the people they cared about," Tharp said. "A negative test was like a passport, 'You know, I tested negative. I can go see my grandma, I can go see my children with their newborn baby.' These were people who depended on that report to govern what they could safely do and not do." Alvi knew the laboratory was faking results, but Alvi still reported it back to the Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration, prosecutors said. Alvi stood at the lectern before he was sentenced and told the judge how he was "filled with remorse and a deep sense of regret" for his "selfish decisions." "I should never have put profits ahead of the job we intended to do for the public," Alvi said, as several relatives wiped tears from their eyes in the courtroom gallery. "I should have put the people first." Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
16 hours ago
- UPI
Lab owner gets 7 years in prison for faking COVID-19 test results
The owner of a Chicago laboratory was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in a $14 million scheme of falsifying COVID-19 test results. Photo by Activedia/ Pixabay June 19 (UPI) -- The owner of a Chicago laboratory was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in a $14 million scheme of falsifying COVID-19 test results. Zishan, Alvi, 46 of Inverness, Ill., was sentenced Wednesday for the scheme and was ordered to pay $14 million in illegitimate taxpayer-backed payments. The fraud involved releasing negative test results to patients, even when the laboratory had not conducted the tests, or the results had been diluted by Alvi to save on costs. U.S. District Judge John Tharp sentenced Alvi and called his actions "fraud on a massive scale," and said how it also put the public in unsafe circumstances when they were seeking reassurance through testing. "People were scrambling to get tested for COVID because they didn't want to imperil the safety and health of the people they cared about," Tharp said. "A negative test was like a passport, 'You know, I tested negative. I can go see my grandma, I can go see my children with their newborn baby.' These were people who depended on that report to govern what they could safely do and not do." Alvi knew the laboratory was faking results, but Alvi still reported it back to the Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration, prosecutors said. Alvi stood at the lectern before he was sentenced and told the judge how he was "filled with remorse and a deep sense of regret" for his "selfish decisions." "I should never have put profits ahead of the job we intended to do for the public," Alvi said, as several relatives wiped tears from their eyes in the courtroom gallery. "I should have put the people first."
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Northerns runner dedicates her eighth Comrades to child battling leukaemia
Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) member and Ashton International College teacher, Robyn Daniel, will dedicate her eighth Comrades Marathon on June 8 to leukaemia patient Zishan Reddy. Moved by the Grade Three learner's strength in the face of such a daunting journey, Robyn will run the 89km down-run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in honour of the youngster, who is facing his second battle with the disease. 'Zishan is awaiting a bone marrow transplant and his strength has moved me deeply. His mom and sister are incredibly brave and watching their quiet courage unfold daily has inspired me to act,' Robyn said. She described Zishan as a 'true warrior' who, despite undergoing maintenance chemotherapy, attends school and still enjoys his soccer practice and matches for Ashton. 'His sister, Thuraya, is a ray of sunshine in my class. She is a beautifully mannered young lady and always so positive. Their mom, Goolshun, is also a pillar of strength who shows much strength and courage. 'They are an inspirational family who will be in my heart while running the Comrades Marathon this year and hopefully give me the extra push when I need it.' Robyn is a seasoned runner. She made her Comrades debut in the 2012 down run, finishing in 10:54:26 for a bronze medal. She added another bronze in 2015 and a Vic Clapham medal in 2016, before breaking the 10-hour barrier for the first time in the 2018 down-run, when she clocked 09:56:10 for her third bronze. Her performance in 2018 set the runner for two successive Robert Mtshali medals in 2019 and 2022, before finishing under nine hours for the first time in last year's up-run when she crossed the line in a PB 08:56:32 for her first Bill Rowan medal. Robyn stated they are still searching for a bone marrow match for Zishan and urged community members to assist the learner. 'Ashton College is making it easier for anyone interested by hosting a Stem Cell Donor drive on May 30, from 9am to 3pm. It is a simple swab test of your inner cheek. 'Alternatively, register on and everything gets sent to you at no charge,' said Robyn. Through Rainbows and Smiles, they have created a crowdfunding campaign where all donations will go to bone marrow research. To help, go to Also Read: SA Bone Marrow Registry to name a star after donor in stellar campaign Also Read: Hundred years of female participation in the Comrades Marathon At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
