An Eastern Kentucky physician has been acquitted on charges that he defrauded health programs.
A jury in federal court returned the not-guilty verdict on eight counts of health fraud against Dr. Sai P. Gutti of Pikeville after deliberating less than three hours on Wednesday.
Gutti practiced pain management at clinics in Pikeville and other cities in the region before he was indicted in April 2019.
He was charged with billing Medicare and Medicaid for urine tests on patients that were not medically necessary, in order to make more money. One purpose for such tests is to make sure patients are taking medications properly and not selling them illegally.
Gutti’s lead attorney, J. Guthrie True of Frankfort, said the charges should never have been filed.
Source: Jury: Kentucky doctor not guilty of fraud against health programs / Lexington Herald Leader