Feds say Ohio spine surgeon accused of performing unnecessary surgeries has left country.
12/14/2013CINCINNATI — Federal authorities say a southwest Ohio spine doctor accused of performing unnecessary surgeries has left the country.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that federal authorities are trying to decide what to do about court proceedings scheduled for next year. Defendant Abubakar Atiq Durrani pleaded not guilty in August to charges of health care fraud and making false statements in medical matters.
Authorities say many patients wound up with worse pain after the doctor operated on them. He also faces civil lawsuits.
He had been ordered by a federal judge to stay in the Cincinnati region. The court rejected a request to let him visit his ill father in Pakistan.
Federal authorities say a warrant has been issued for his arrest.