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| Mark Weinberger |
(Scroll down for video) A doctor was slapped with a large fine after he pleaded guilty to making unnecessary surgeries, according to court proceedings in Indiana.
Authorities said that a judge has approved a $55 million fine for nearly 300 former patients of the Indiana nose doctor, who pleaded guilty to fraud after disappearing for five years while vacationing in Greece.
Mark Weinberger, also known as "Dr. Nose", was also sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to health care fraud. A Lake County judge Monday approved a settlement for 282 former patients of Weinberger, who accused the former doctor of performing unnecessary surgeries.
Some of the claims date back to 2004, when Weinberger disappeared during a family vacation in Europe. The authorities arrested the doctor five years later in a snowy Italian mountain, where they found Weinberger living in a tent.
Lawyer Barry Rooth said that each of the patients will receive an average of nearly $250,000.Mobile video not loading? Click here to view