A federal judge declared a mistrial Dec. 19 in a $158 million Texas healthcare fraud case amid concern the jury may not be able to recall testimony after an attorney's medical emergency caused a monthlong delay, according to Law360.
The case, one of the biggest healthcare fraud cases in the state, has been described by authorities as a bribery and kickback scheme involving doctors, pharmacies and others to defraud the U.S. government out of $158 million, according to The Texas Lawbook.
Four Texans — including a surgeon, a pharmacist, a pharmacy owner and one of his business associates — were facing various charges of conspiracy, healthcare fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. Defense attorneys argued the case involved only legitimate business transactions between doctors and the operators of three North Texas pharmacies.