West Palm Beach, Fla.-Dominican-born eye doctor Salomon Melgen will appear in federal court Thursdaymorning for the second time, hoping to win release from the Palm Beach Countyjail while awaiting trial on 76 charges that he scammed Medicare out of morethan US$105 million, palmbeachpost.com reports.
Assistant U.S.Attorney Alexandra Chase told a federal magistrate on Wednesday that thegovernment will oppose bond for the “wildly successful North Palm Beachophthalmologist.”
“The 60-year-oldphysician, who owns a US$2.3 million home in Captain’s Key, a private jet and avilla in his native Dominican Republic, is a flight risk,” the outlet quoted Chaseas saying, to U.S. magistrate James Hopkins.
It said Melgen, whoowns the Melgen Retina Eye Center in West Palm Beach, is a key figure in thelooming indictment of U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.
One of Melgen’s attorneysMaria Dominguez said after the brief hearing that they will seek his release. “Weare convinced of his innocence and are looking forward to having our day incourt.”