Point Pleasant doctor admits role in medical lab bribery scheme

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Another doctor has pleaded guilty in a long-running bribes-for-test referrals scheme involving a northern New Jersey firm.

Federal prosecutors say 52-year-old Anthony DeLuca, of Point Pleasant, pleaded guilty Monday to accepting bribes. He faces up to five years in prison when he's sentenced March 20, and also will forfeit $16,500 he received in the scheme.

Prosecutors say DeLuca, who has practices in Wall and Howell townships in Monmouth County, got the bribes from Parsippany-based Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services in exchange for unnecessary test referrals. DeLuca was paid about $1,500 per month, which he received from another person in his medical office engaged in the same activity.

Thirty-two people — including 21 physicians — have now pleaded guilty in connection with the bribery scheme. Its organizers have admitted the scheme involved millions of dollars in bribes and resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from Medicare and various private insurance companies.

The investigation has recovered more than $10.2 million so far through forfeiture.

Several people connected with the lab have pleaded guilty, including president and part-owner David Nicoll and his brother, Scott, a senior employee.

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