Florida Cancer Specialists agrees to $100 million criminal penalty in federal probe
May 5, 2020 - Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute agreed to pay a $100 million criminal penalty as part of a federal investigation. The oncology group was charged with conspiring to allocate chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer patients in southwest Florida, a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice said. The Justice Department announced a deferred prosecution agreement resolving the charge, under which Florida Cancer Specialist admitted to conspiracy, agreed to cooperate with an ongoing investigation and agreed to maintain an effective compliance program. FCS separately settled related claims with the Florida Attorney General, the cancer practice said in its own statement. After learning about the issues, FCS brought on new leaders, enhanced employee training and bolstered its compliance program, the statement said.Florida Cancer Specialists is based in Fort Myers and has offices and physicians throughout the Tampa-St. Petersburg area.