NYC Pediatrician Sentenced To 37 Months In Bribery Scheme

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York City pediatrician is headed to prison for taking part in a long-running bribes-for-test referrals scheme involving a northern New Jersey firm.

Federal prosecutors say Demetrios Gabriel, 47, of Brooklyn, who practiced in Staten Island and Brooklyn, was sentenced Tuesday to 37 months in prison. He also will have to serve a year of supervised release once he's freed and pay a $75,000 fine.

Gabriel pleaded guilty in February to accepting bribes from Parsippany-based Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services in exchange for unnecessary test referrals. Prosecutors say he received a flat fee of $3,000 per month in cash, plus additional cash based on the number of patient blood samples his practice referred to BLS each month.

He also received $1,500 per month through credit card payments to a restaurant he owns.

In all, 33 people – including 22 doctors – have pleaded guilty in connection with the bribery scheme.

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