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.

PARSIPPANY — The Mount Tabor Historical Society is pleased to announce a new way of touring our historic neighborhood community. Mount Tabor is a former Methodist church camp and a thriving present-day neighborhood known for its picturesque Victorian gingerbread cottages standing shoulder-to-shoulder on narrow streets. Visitors are drawn to the historic community, and now, using a smartphone, they can scan a unique QR code on each of 20 signs throughout the historic district. Each sign links to a corresponding webpage describing the history of the site and unlocks a map and historic photos correlating to the exact location where the visitor is standing. Many photos, from the Mount Tabor Historical Society archives, have rarely been seen by the public.

This extraordinary project, connecting the past with present-day technology, is the Eagle Scout project of 16-year-old Eashan Iyer of Scout Troop 173 in Parsippany. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official launch of the walking tour will be held on Saturday, August 26, at 10:00 a.m. in Trinity Park, Mount Tabor.

In 2022, Eashan reached out to the Mount Tabor Historic Society seeking a project for his Eagle Rank. Michelle LaConto Munn, president of the Society, provided the Scout with a wish list of projects to choose from. His affinity for digital technology led him to make an unconventional choice to help the Society to increase the public’s access to the rich, but hidden, historical archives through a digitally enhanced walking tour. Eashan observed, “Over the past few years, I have seen QR codes gain popularity as we enter an increasingly touchless society. I thought this trend would lend itself well to a walking tour, allowing people access to the rich historical archives of Mount Tabor at their fingertips.”

According to Ms. LaConto Munn, “The Society had a general idea for a walking tour, but without Eashan, this project would not have become a reality. This project stands out from the more typical construction-oriented projects and is the first to use modern technology to help the society actively increase awareness of our history and potentially reach new audiences.”

Over the last year, Eashan worked with the Society to develop a route of 20 designated stops in the neighborhood to spotlight historic sites and significant buildings. Acting as project manager, he created a proposal, raised over $600 to fund the project and knit all parts of the project together with a team of eager volunteers. The Scout’s tasks ranged from the technical: melding smartphone technology with the website of the Mount Tabor Historic Society and creating separate website pages for each featured site, to the traditional: employing good old-fashioned footwork to select signpost locations and working hands-on to produce and install the signage. Eashan notes, “I crafted this project to leverage my skills in many disciplines and provide genuine value to our community. Opening a QR code, you will see web pages I developed working with volunteers. Looking at the signposts, you will see brackets that connect the sign plates to the post. I custom-designed these brackets to place the signs at an angle, making them easier to read and scan.”

His efforts provide a long-term benefit to the neighborhood, and the community at large, raising the awareness of historic Mount Tabor, which is tucked on a hill off Route 53 between Morris Plains and Denville. The recently completed Explore Historic Mount Tabor Walking Tour expands everyone’s knowledge and appreciation of this charming ‘city in the forest.’

The tour includes neighborhood highlights such as the “Golden Stairs,” the site of the old Arlington Hotel, streetscapes that juxtapose yesterday’s perspectives with today’s views, and iconic buildings including the Tabernacle, library, and firehouse, all in use today.

The digital walking tour is free and can be taken at any time of the year. Follow the signs sequentially or begin anywhere inspiration strikes. If you are unable to visit Mount Tabor personally, the tour is also available online at www.MountTaborNJ.org.

Once you’ve experienced the unique charm of this neighborhood, you are invited to take a closer look with access inside over 15 historic homes and buildings during the annual Mount Tabor Historic House & Garden Tour, on Saturday, September 30. Tickets are available now online.