Nose doc who hid in Europe pleads guilty to fraud

Nose doc who hid in Europe pleads guilty to fraud

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) — A former northwestern Indiana nose surgeon who was once the subject of an international dragnet before being captured on an Italian mountainside after five years on the run has pleaded guilty to 22 counts of health care fraud in his second attempt at a plea deal.

The Post-Tribune of Merrillville reports that U.S. District Judge Philip Simon told Mark Weinberger during a hearing Monday he’s “virtually certain” he will accept the plea agreement. Simon rejected a plea agreement in April 2011 that called for a four-year prison sentence, saying he wasn’t confident it took into account the magnitude of Weinberger’s crimes.

The new agreement sets a limit of 10 years in prison. If Simon doesn’t agree, Weinberger could withdraw his guilty plea.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 12.