Springfield cardiologist, wife plead guilty in federal health care fraud case

A Springfield cardiologist and his wife changed pleas to guilty Thursday in a federal Medicare and Medicaid fraud case.

RELATED: Patient records of indicted Springfield cardiologist in limbo

Dr. Salim Dahdah and his wife, Cindy Dahdah, were headed to trial in early October on a July 2017 federal indictment accusing them of unlawfully raking in more than $2 million by billing, or causing billing to be submitted, for medically unnecessary medical tests and procedures.

They were among more than 400 indicted in what the U.S. Justice Department called a health care fraud takedown.

RELATED: Springfield cardiologist among hundreds charged with healthcare fraud

Federal investigators raided the Ohio Institute of Cardiac Care in January 2015. The practices offices in Springfield and Englewood have since been shuttered. Dr. Dahdah remains in federal custody, and his wife is on electronic monitoring.

RELATED July 2017: Patients react to indictment of Springfield cardiologist

The Dahdahs on Thursday pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and health care false statements, according to court documents from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division in Columbus.

Last month, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Affeldt said Dr. Dahdah was expected to plead guilty, but that his wife had not signed any agreement.

Sentencing dates have not been scheduled.

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