West Bloomfield surgeon Mustafa Hares sentenced for $7M Medicare scheme
April 17, 2026
The punishment was the latest fallout in a case that involved a businessman blamed for imperiling the future of the fabled Big Boy restaurant chain.
A West Bloomfield surgeon has been sentenced to federal prison for his central role in a sophisticated $7 million Medicare fraud operation that involved billing for services that were never rendered. Dr. Mustafa Hares, 79, received a sentence of one year in prison on Thursday in a U.S. District Court in Detroit. In addition to his incarceration, Hares must pay $4.8 million in restitution and will be subject to three years of supervised release after he completes his prison term. The sentence marks a significant development in a case that federal prosecutors say highlights a gross abuse of trust by a medical professional.
The scheme, which ran from 2019 to 2023, involved the submission of fraudulent claims to Medicare for psychotherapy services that were never actually provided to patients. Court records revealed that Hares and a co-conspirator, Mohammed Kazkaz, systematically signed patient progress notes to support the false billings. These documents were not prepared by licensed medical practitioners but were instead written by employees located in Mexico, creating the appearance of legitimate medical care where none existed. Kazkaz has already been sentenced to a more severe term of 7.5 years in prison for his part in the extensive fraud.
Federal authorities have been pointed in their condemnation of Hares' actions, emphasizing the damage such schemes inflict on public trust and federal healthcare programs. U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. stated that the physician abused his medical license and position of trust to facilitate a massive healthcare fraud scheme at the expense of the American taxpayer. The investigation was a joint effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, agencies that continue to prioritize cracking down on healthcare fraud.
The sentencing has brought to light the broader implications of Medicare fraud, which officials describe as a direct theft from the American people. Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit Field Office, noted that such actions drain critical resources from a program designed to serve those in need. By exploiting the system, the defendants not only caused millions of dollars in financial losses but also undermined the integrity of medical professionals who adhere to the law.
With the sentencing of Hares, the legal proceedings against the main operators of this particular scheme are drawing to a close. Hares will now face his prison term and the financial penalty imposed by the court. The case serves as a stark reminder of the federal government's commitment to prosecuting healthcare providers who engage in fraudulent activities. Authorities have stressed that they will continue to hold accountable any physicians who exploit the system for personal enrichment.
Source: detroitnews