PONTIAC (WWJ) - A Pontiac Doctor could face decades in prison after being convicted in a medical fraud scheme to help immigrants illegally obtain citizenship.
Prosecutors said 64-year-old Dr. Muhammad Awaisi conspired with Bloomfield Hills Psychologist Firoza VanHorn to create fraudulent medical documents.
The fraudulent documents were designed to be used by citizen applicants seeking medical waivers of requirements that they pass a citizenship test and demonstrate a knowledge of the English language, said authorities.
"Dr. Awaisi's fraud is an affront to all those honest immigrants as well as to his most basic ethical requirements as a physician," said U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison.
Awaisi conducted fake medical exams that falsely diagnosed citizen applicants with a variety of medical conditions. The doctor also wrote prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances that were unnecessary.
Awaisi was found guilty on five charges related to the fraud. A federal jury returned the verdict last week after a four-day trial in U.S. District Court in Detroit.
"The alleged fraud, scheming and conspiracy in this case is overwhelming," said acting special agent in charge of the FBI office in Detroit, Devin Kowalski.
The doctor was convicted of one count of conspiring to commit an offense against the United States and to defraud the United States, two counts of attempted procurement of naturalization contrary to law and two counts of making and using a false document.
Awaisi faces up to 35 years in prison when he's sentenced December 4.
Van Horn has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
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