N. Texas Doctor Ordered to Stay in Federal Custody

Dr. Jacques Roy, one of 7 accused of bilking $375M from Medicare, Medicaid

The man at the center of the biggest health fraud investigation in U.S. history will stay in federal custody after a judge agreed he is a flight risk.

Dr. Jacques Roy is the owner of a DeSoto medical group that allegedly bilked Medicare and Medicaid of nearly $375 million.

During a detention hearing in a Dallas courtroom Monday, a federal agent testified that a search of Roy's home showed that he appeared to have "prepared for and studied opportunity to evade."

Investigators also revealed Roy had books titled "Hide Your Assets and Disappear" and "Tax Avoidance: Long Arm of the IRS," which detailed how to hide assets from the Internal Revenue Service.

Agents also testified that Roy had several passport photos and two fake IDs; one was a Texas driver's license and the other was a Quebec driver's license under the name Michele Poulin.

A federal indictment unsealed last week accused Roy, who owned Medistat Group Associates in DeSoto, of leading a scheme that billed Medicare for home health services that were not medically necessary or were not done. Roy's office manager as well as five owners of home health agencies were also indicted.

The judge ruled Roy must stay in the federal jail in Seagoville until his trial.

NBC 5's Randy McIlwain contributed to this report.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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