An oncologist was sentenced to two years in prison with a suspended sentence for fraud against ADSE, the health system that serves Portuguese public servants. The amount in question amounts to almost half a million euros.
The court decided that the convicted person must return to the State the amount of 451,300 euros. This value corresponds to the damages caused to the social protection system for public servants through the fraudulent practices committed by the doctor.
ADSE fraud constitutes a crime against the social security system, where health professionals can improperly obtain reimbursement for fictional or exaggerated medical expenses. The trial allowed the demonstration of the irregularities practiced by the oncologist.
With the suspended sentence, the doctor will not have to serve actual prison time, provided he does not commit new crimes during the electronic surveillance or conditional period. The judicial decision aims to reimburse the public coffers for the money diverted through the fraudulent scheme.
