Ex-dentist indicted in $20 million Medicaid fraud

NEW HAVEN -- A former dentist who lost his license to practice in Massachusetts, but opened clinics in Trumbull, Stamford and West Haven, faces nine federal charges following his indictment in an alleged $20 million Medicaid fraud.

The indictment charges Gary F. Anusavice, 59, of North Kingstown, R.I., with health care fraud, wire fraud, making false statements and concealing information from Medicaid.

The indictment also seeks forfeiture of Anusavice's Rhode Island home on nearly 10 acres of land, his 2008 Mercedes Benz automobile and $91,700 in cash.

The indictment comes on the heels of the May 24 arrest of Anusavice and Mehran Zamani, a 47-year-old dentist from Pound Ridge, N.Y. Anusavice hired Zamani to operate the Dental Group of Connecticut in Trumbull, Dental Group of Stamford and Landmark Dental in West Haven.

Zamani was not named in the indictment.

Massachusetts permanently revoked Anusavice's license to practice dentistry in 2006 after investigating his 1997 conviction for filing false health care claims. As part of that conviction, he also surrendered his Rhode Island license for 18 months.

After opening clinics in Connecticut, he reviewed patient charges, recommended procedures, hired dentists and reviewed billing procedures.

The indictment alleges that Anusavice conspired with others in his office to fraudulently obtain money from the Connecticut Medicaid program and also misrepresented his prior criminal history and ownership in the area dental groups.

He has been detained without bond since his arrest.