The tag on the news release last June put it in the category of “health care fraud,” stating that a former local doctor and his affiliated partners had made false claims for “screening tests not performed.”

The notice from the U.S. Attorney’s Office described an agreement under which the defendants would pay a total of $625,000 to resolve a civil case, United States of America v. Park Square Urgent Care, that had been filed by the government.

It then stated that the medical providers, under the direction of Dr. Zaheer Shah, with previous practices in North Smithfield and Pawtucket, submitted tens of thousands of false claims to Medicare and Medicaid, seeking reimbursement for urine drug tests that they did not, and could, not perform. The doctors were alleged to have knowingly billed Medicare and Medicaid for more complex and expensive drug screening tests.

The release and subsequent publicity from it led to the Rhode Island Medical Board filing a complaint against Shah. As it turns out, says Shah today, “this is the best thing that could have happened to me.”

The board engaged in a two-month investigation, including an investigative committee conducting an hour-long interview with Shah. The board notified the doctor in October that they found no unprofessional conduct, and that the case was closed. The notice stated that he might be required to inform others of the allegations that had been leveled against him.

“You may report that the allegations were investigated, and...

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