In a federal case that's sending ripples through the medical community, Dr. Hector Ubaldo, 60, was convicted last week of engaging in a kickback scheme involving patient blood and urine samples. According to a statement on the Department of Justice website, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Leigha Simonton, announced the conviction, which followed a swift jury decision that took only 14 minutes post-trial.

The evidence at trial revealed Dr. Ubaldo received upwards of $200,000 in return for routing samples to select labs. These arrangements included forged medical advisory service contracts the labs, and marketers who frankly, didn't require these supposed services. A secretly recorded video displayed in court captured Dr. Ubaldo accepting cash and revealing his financial motivations. He said, "To tell you the truth, I need the cash," as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

This corrupt alignment allowed R.K. Clinical Lab to bill insurance companies and Medicare a staggering $3.4 million. Dr. Ubaldo's conviction, which pertained to a single count of conspiracy and a separate count of solicitation and receipt of illegal kickbacks, could land him up to 15 years in prison. He currently awaits sentencing in custody.

For more information, Erin Dooley, a Press Officer, can be reached at 214-659-8707 or by email at [email protected]. The case against Dr. Ubaldo is part of a broader crackdown on fraudulent practices within the healthcare system.