WASHINGTON: Outgoing US President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals serving lengthy prison terms, in a move aimed at promoting fairness in sentencing and rehabilitation. Among those granted clemency are four Indian Americans: Meera Sachdeva, Babubhai Patel, Krishna Mote and Vikram Dutta.
In a statement, Biden highlighted the importance of addressing sentencing disparities and fostering rehabilitation. “As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offenses,” he said.
Dr Meera Sachdeva – Medicare Fraud: Dr Meera Sachdeva, 50, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in 2012 after pleading guilty to defrauding Medicare. Sachdeva, who owned the Rose Cancer Center in Mississippi, admitted to submitting false claims for chemotherapy services, billing for more chemotherapy drugs than she purchased, and providing patients with less-than-prescribed doses. Her fraudulent actions led to an $8.2 million loss for Medicare. In addition to her prison term, Sachdeva was fined $250,000 and ordered to forfeit $6 million and several properties.
Babubhai (Bob) Patel – Healthcare Fraud: Babubhai Patel, a Detroit-based pharmacist, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for masterminding a $57 million healthcare fraud scheme. Patel operated 26 pharmacies across metro Detroit, paying doctors to write unnecessary prescriptions and offering cash incentives to vulnerable individuals in exchange for their Medicare or Medicaid information. Convicted in 2012, he was ordered to pay $18.8 million in restitution.
Krishna Mote – Drug Bust: Krishna Mote, 43, was convicted in 2012 of conspiracy to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine and 500 grams of cocaine. Operating a drug distribution network in Pennsylvania from 2005 to 2007, Mote faced a 20-year prison sentence after a three-day jury trial.
Vikram Dutta – Money Laundering: Vikram Dutta, a retail perfume store owner along the US-Mexico border, was sentenced in 2012 to nearly 20 years in prison for laundering millions of dollars for a Mexican narcotics organization. Through his business, Dutta accepted large cash payments from drug sales in the US, facilitating the transfer of illicit funds to Mexico.
