The Latest: 79-year-old doctor on trial in kickback scheme

The Latest on the trial of a 79-year-old doctor charged with participating in a $200 million bribery scheme (all times local):

11:45 a.m.

Jurors have heard opening statements in the trial of a 79-year-old New Jersey doctor charged in a $200 million health care fraud scheme.

Bernard Greenspan is charged with crimes including violating federal anti-kickback laws.

More than 40 people have already pleaded guilty in the scheme involving a blood testing lab that bribed doctors for referrals.

Prosecutors say Biodiagnostic Lab Services bribed Greenspan with inflated rent payments and consulting fees that totaled $200,000 over a seven-year period.

Greenspan's attorney told jurors the payments were legitimate and that Greenspan did nothing illegal.

The lab's owner, David Nicoll, has pleaded guilty and is expected to testify. Authorities say he used the proceeds of the scam to buy luxury properties and rare and classic automobiles.

___

12:20 a.m.

More than 40 people have already pleaded guilty in a $200 million health care fraud scheme run by a New Jersey blood testing lab.

This week, the government's evidence will be tested for the first time by a 79-year-old family doctor who hopes to convince a jury of his innocence.

Bernard Greenspan is charged with crimes including violating federal anti-kickback laws. Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday.

Greenspan was arrested for his connection with Parsippany-based Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services.

The now-defunct company's owners have pleaded guilty to bribing dozens of doctors in exchange for patient referrals.

Prosecutors say Greenspan was bribed with disguised lease payments, cash for holiday parties and a job for an alleged mistress.

Greenspan's attorney says his client's dealings with the lab were legitimate business transactions.