PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township joined in global celebrations by marking the 76th anniversary of India’s Independence Day with enthusiasm and reverence. Residents and officials came together to recognize the significance of the day and to honor the deep cultural ties between Parsippany and its vibrant Indian community.

The day’s events kicked off with the hoisting of the Indian tricolor flag, accompanied by the American and Indian national anthem, invoking feelings of pride and nostalgia among attendees. Various cultural performances highlighted the rich tapestry of India’s diverse heritage. Traditional dances, songs, and speeches painted a vivid picture of India’s journey over the past 76 years and the country’s influence on Parsippany’s multicultural fabric.

Cultural performances by Hum India Wale-Sonia Dadeech, Vedika Singh, Vanshi Xitij Shah, and Aashna Thakker; Patriot Song by Arya Dance Academy; Ramadevi; Patriotic Dance by Taal Dance School; and Patriotic Dance: Chandra Mishra, Aradhya Mishra, Madhulika Swamy, and Bina Menon.

Mayor James Barberio addressed the gathering, emphasizing the strong bonds that the township shares with its Indian-American residents. “The spirit of India thrives in Parsippany,” the Mayor stated. “Today, we not only celebrate India’s independence but also the contributions of our Indian-American community to the township’s growth and diversity.”

Chand Palace provided attendees with a taste of India’s rich culinary traditions. From spicy curries to sweet delicacies, the aromas were tantalizing, drawing large crowds and offering a genuine taste of India in Parsippany.

This event not only commemorated a significant moment in history but also showcased the strength of Parsippany’s multicultural community and the enriching influence of Indian culture in the township.

PARSIPPANY — A Parsippany sonography company has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) to resolve criminal charges relating to kickback allegations and will pay $95,000 to resolve the civil claims, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger confirmed.

As part of the resolution, a criminal information was filed on August 17, charging H&D Sonography, 60 Baldwin Road, with this conduct. H&D entered into a three-year DPA that requires it to abide by certain measures to avoid conviction. H&D also entered into a civil settlement agreement under which it has agreed to pay $95,000 to the United States to resolve civil claims under the federal False Claims Act.

The criminal matter has been assigned to the U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court.

According to H&D’s admissions from January 2015 through December 2018 in the District of New Jersey, H&D and others agreed to pay rent in excess of reasonable value to physicians to induce the physicians to refer patients for diagnostic testing to H&D. These agreements called for inflated rent payments from H&D to the physicians, purportedly to use space in the physicians’ offices for a set number of hours each week in order to perform diagnostic tests. H&D agreed to pay for significantly more hours than the technicians actually used, as a method to funnel payments to physicians. H&D structured the payments as sublease payments for the physicians’ shared offices. The sublease payments that H&D paid the physicians were more than the value of the total rent that the physicians actually paid for the shared offices. After H&D began making payments, the physicians in receipt of those payments began to refer patients to H&D for diagnostic tests, which were then billed to Medicare.

According to the contentions of the United States set forth in the civil settlement agreement:

From January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2018, H&D knowingly and willingly paid renumeration to referring physicians in the form of space rental payments that were above fair market value and commercially unreasonable for the purpose of inducing diagnostic testing, in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.

The civil allegations were originally made in a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act brought by Dr. Richard Chesbrough. The Act permits private parties to sue for false claims on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Chesbrough will receive approximately 17 percent of the proceeds of the civil settlement. 

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz, with the investigation leading to the resolution.

The criminal case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Mateo of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit; the civil case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kruti Dharia of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit.