FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) –Two Fresno doctors have agreed to collectively pay more than $2.4 million to resolve allegations that they solicited and received unlawful kickbacks, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced on Thursday. According to the federal Department of Justice, the two doctors solicited and received unlawful kickbacks in exchange for directing prescriptions to a group of mail-order pharmacies controlled by an individual named Matthew H. Peters. Prosecutors say in the first settlement, Fresno podiatrist Dr. Jagpreet Mukker and his medical corporation, Jay Mukker, DPM Inc., have agreed to pay a total of $1,598,891 to the United States to resolve allegations that they participated in the unlawful kickback arrangement - causing Dr. Mukker to issue prescriptions for beneficiaries of federal health care programs (including Medicare, TRICARE, and Medi-Cal). As part of the settlement, Dr. Mukker acknowledged, accepted, and agreed not to dispute certain facts surrounding the kickback scheme, the Department of Justice says. Dr. Mukker also agreed that from 2016 through 2020, he accepted payments in connection with prescriptions he issued to a series of indistinguishable mail-order pharmacies controlled by Matthew Peters.  Prosecutors say that after a small initial investment, Dr. Mukker received up to $117,400 per year in kickbacks, which prompted Dr. Mukker to send prescriptions to Peters’ pharmacies. These payouts were described as a “reward for scripts” that Dr. Mukker sent to Peters’ pharmacies. The first settlement agreement also resolves separate allegations that Dr. Mukker and Jay Mukker, DPM Inc. submitted false claims for peripheral venous studies that they knew were not covered by Medicare, under the guise of covered evaluation and management services.  In the second settlement announced, the federal Department of Justice said Fresno pain medicine specialist Amitabh Goswami, D.O., and his medical corporation, California Pain Consultants, agreed to pay $835,000 to resolve allegations that they participated in the same unlawful kickback arrangement. “The payment of kickbacks corrupts medical decision-making and increases the cost of health care,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. “We will hold accountable those who pay or receive such kickbacks, ensuring they do not profit at the expense of American taxpayers and patients.”