11 hrs ago
Former Couple Fight US Extradition Over Cancer Drug Fraud Allegations
Sukhi Ghuman and Kiranjit Ghuman are a former married couple who now live in the UK.
The United States wants them to face charges there.
Prosecutors say they took millions of dollars from health insurance programmes.
They allege the couple used cancer medicines that were not approved in the US, and that some medicines were out of date.
The medicines were allegedly used at clinics in California and Arizona.
The US also alleges that a clinic resold some approved medicines without a proper licence.
The couple deny the charges and are arguing that sending them to the US would breach their human rights.
A court is expected to decide later whether they can be extradited.
Sukhi Ghuman and Kiranjit Ghuman, both 48, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London to contest extradition to the United States.
US prosecutors allege they obtained millions of dollars from Medicare and other health insurance plans between September 2019 and April 2023.
Prosecutors say they used cheap, unapproved chemotherapy and other drugs, some out of date, on patients at clinics they controlled in California and Arizona.
The extradition request also cites an alleged unlicensed resale scheme involving FDA-approved drugs and separate drug-smuggling charges.
The former spouses deny the charges and challenge extradition on human rights grounds; a ruling is expected later.
- Who
- Sukhi Ghuman and Kiranjit Ghuman, former spouses who deny the allegations.
- What
- They are contesting extradition to the United States over alleged health-programme fraud and separate drug-smuggling charges.
- Where
- The hearing was at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London; the alleged clinic activity took place in California and Arizona.
- When
- They appeared in court last week; the alleged fraud period was September 2019 to April 2023, and an arrest warrant was issued in October 2023.
- Why
- US authorities seek to bring them to trial over alleged insurance fraud, drug-related offences, and unlicensed medicine resale.
US allegations
Defence position
Alleged drug and billing scheme
US allegations
US prosecutors allege the pair defrauded Medicare and other insurers using cheap, unapproved or out-of-date medicines, and that a clinic resold FDA-approved drugs without a proper licence.
Defence position
The pair deny the charges; the reports do not provide further detail on their response to the specific allegations.
Extradition
US allegations
The United States is seeking their extradition to stand trial on the alleged offences.
Defence position
Their defence teams are challenging extradition on human rights grounds.
Key facts
- Defendants
- Sukhi Ghuman and Kiranjit Ghuman, both 48
- Hearing court
- Westminster Magistrates’ Court, London
- Alleged investigation period
- September 2019 to April 2023
- Arrest warrant
- Issued in October 2023 by the District Court for the Southern District of California in San Diego
- Alleged locations
- Oncology clinics in California and Arizona
- Drug-smuggling charge
- Carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted
- Current status
- The pair deny the charges and contest extradition on human rights grounds; a ruling is expected later
Sources
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