A jury trial has started for a McAllen oral surgeon accused in a Medicaid fraud and kickback scheme.
Oral surgeon Gary Morgan Schwarz appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Randy Crane on Monday morning.
Opening arguments started on the case and the trial is expected to last one and a half weeks.
Proseuctors allege that Schwarz paid kickbacks to four dentists, including former Texas State Rep. Tara Ybarra Rios, to get Medicaid patients.
Judge Crane dismissed charges against Rios, the dentists and other named in the case leaving Schwarz as the sole defendant.
Prosecutors allege they have videotapes where children who were Medicaid recipients were being treated in mass "cattle calls" where procedures took an average of 20 minutes each.
Prosecutors cliam that unqualified, unlicensed dental assistant administered anaesthesia and that one child crying in pain in one of the videos.
Action 4 News will provide updates as they become available.
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