On February 8, Dr. Vasso Godiali, a Bay City, Michigan vascular surgeon, pleaded guilty to participating in defrauding Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield in the amount of approximately $19.5 million. The scheme was carried out by submitting false bills to the three insurers. Dr. Godiali admitted to submitting fraudulent bills for placement of multiple stents that he did not place and for arterial thrombectomies that he did not perform. He also admitted to falsifying his medical records to justify the fraudulent bills. As part of the plea agreement, Dr. Godiali is required to pay $19.5 million to the insurers in restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for September 15. He faces up to 10 years imprisonment and forfeiture of $19.5 million. Additionally, a civil forfeiture case is pending against around $39.9 million from Dr. Godiali’s accounts.