Disgraced oncologist Farid Fata, MD, called "Dr Death" by his patient victims, will remain in federal prison, having recently been denied a plea to have his 45-year sentence reduced and be released for medical reasons, including his reported worry that "contracting COVID-19 [in prison] could very well prove to be fatal."
Fata is imprisoned in South Carolina and in the fifth year of his sentence, having been found guilty of healthcare fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks, and other charges.
Fata gave chemotherapy and other treatments to hundreds of patients who did not have cancer or did not need the care, as reported by Medscape Medical News. The unnecessary and excessive care led to disability and disfigurement in some cases, according to patient testimony.
Now, many of his victims have recently received financial compensation, totaling over $4 million, according to an Associated Press story.
More than 600 people were awarded restitution related to claims for out-of-pocket expenses (eg, copayments and insurance deductibles), as well as funeral expenses, according to the US Attorney's Office.
In the meantime, Fata has been worrying about his own survival while in prison, according to a July 10 US District Court filingwhich says he "contends" that COVID-19 could be deadly — if he contracted it — because of his age and medical conditions.
