Washington: Twelve people have been accused in the US state of Pennsylvania including nine Indian-Americans and Indian nationals for allegedly participating in a multifaceted racketeering conspiracy through a multistate network of dentistry offices and allied dental enterprises.
According to court documents, The Savani Group, a collection of dentistry offices and affiliated businesses operated and were involved in by the 12 people, engaged in visa fraud, healthcare fraud, wire fraud involving federal tax evasion, and money laundering.
According to a news release from the US Department of Justice, six of them have been charged with participating in a racketeer-influenced corrupt organisation (RICO) conspiracy based on their involvement in the Savani Group, and another three have been charged with obstructing justice.
Bhaskar Savani, 57, and Niranjan Savani, 51, from Pennsylvania and both licensed dentists, owned and controlled the Savani Group dental practices.
Arun Savani, 55, owned and managed the Savani Group companies and was responsible for the Savani Group's financial affairs, the press release said.
Bhaskar, Niranjan, and Arun, the three brothers, are alleged to have worked together to solicit foreign nationals for US work visas while hiding the actual job titles and duties of the applicants. The three made their initial court appearances on January 20.
