Indian-American doctor gets 9-months jail for bribery in US

An Indian-American doctor has been sentenced to nine-months in jail for taking kickbacks for diagnostic testing referrals of his patients and failing to file tax returns on USD 1 million of income over a three-year period.

Yash Khanna, 72, of livingston in New Jersey, had last year admitted to earning income of more than USD 381,000 in 2008, USD 400,000 in 2009 and USD 214,000 in 2010.

The Justice Department had said that he intentionally failed to file tax returns or ask for extensions during those years.

From 2009 through to 2011, Khanna owned and operated his own medical practice, Family Medicine and Pediatrics llC, according to court documents.

He received cash kickbacks from Orange MRI for diagnostic tests performed on Medicare and Medicaid patients and met with an Orange MRI representative at his office on October 4, 2011, and November 10, 2011, taking envelopes with cash, the documents had said.

He had further accepted to earning income of more than USD 381,000, USD 400,000 and USD 214,000 in the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively.

In addition to imprisonment, Judge Cecchi sentenced Khanna to one month of severe house arrest and three years of supervised release. He was also fined USD 30,000 and ordered to forfeit USD 10,400.

"We are net providers of security, together ensuring freedom of navigation and safeguarding the maritime domain. These values are clearly enshrined in two new documents: our Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region and the Delhi Declaration of Friendship, leaving no doubt about our commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, democratic, and stable Asia," Biswal said.

During the presidents India visit in January this year, the US also secured forward movement on issues that were holding up its ability to advance civil-nuclear cooperation with India, she said.

Biswal said by leveraging the private sector and Indian resources, the US was getting sizable outcomes out of small inputs.

"Our programs connect to India's public and private sectors to jointly achieve development gains in a cost- effective manner in India and in third countries, where India's achievements stand to jump-start development results," she said.

"This model of assistance - which positions India as a development lab with global reach - combines US and Indian innovation and best practices, which can be road-tested and refined in India and then exported to developing countries in Africa and Asia," Biswal said.

On the Sri lankan political scene, Biswal said the defeat of powerful Rajapaksha Government in the recent election held there represented another dramatic opening in South Asia.

"Sri lanka represents a dramatic opening that was ushered in by an election where the voice of the people turned conventional wisdom on its head and provided hope to a country that has been captive to corruption, cronyism, and divisive policies that threatened to divide and destabilize the country," she said.

Biswal praised new Sri lankan President Maithripala Sirisena for working in a government of national unity with Sinhalese and minority political parties.

She said he was pivoting his country away from the harmful policies of his predecessors.

"The prospects for strengthened democratic institutions, equitable economic growth, and reduced ethnic tensions are much greater under his leadership than they were during the previous regime," she said.

"Immediately upon taking office, newly elected President Sirisena and his coalition took actions that reflect their commitment to a comprehensive governance reform agenda, including development assistance and support for civil society and vulnerable communities," she added.

She said the US was encouraged by the Sri lankan government's pledges to create a credible domestic accountability mechanism to address the end of the war and foster reconciliation between the North and South.