SPECIAL REPORTS

Oncologist’s discovery leads to downfall of cancer treatment empire

Dr. Soe Maunglay, an oncologist working for Dr. Farid Fata, discovered his employer was giving chemotherapy to a patient who was not sick and became a whistle-blower in the medical fraud case which brought down Fata's Michigan Hematology and Oncology practice and landed Fata behind bars, awaiting sentencing.
Dr. Soe Maunglay, an oncologist working for Dr. Farid Fata, discovered his employer was giving chemotherapy to a patient who was not sick and became a whistle-blower in the medical fraud case which brought down Fata's Michigan Hematology and Oncology practice and landed Fata behind bars, awaiting sentencing.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Dr. Farid Fata, founder of Michigan's largest private cancer practice in 2013, with clinics in seven cities, was convicted and is awaiting sentencing for at least $34 million in fraudulent Medicare billings and a kickback scheme with a hospice.
Dr. Farid Fata, founder of Michigan's largest private cancer practice in 2013, with clinics in seven cities, was convicted and is awaiting sentencing for at least $34 million in fraudulent Medicare billings and a kickback scheme with a hospice.
MICHIGAN HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY WEBSITE
Patient Monica Flagg, 54, of Rochester, had her first cancer treatment, then broke her leg and was hospitalized. Her medical records startled Dr. Soe Maunglay, who happened to be making rounds. Maunglay realized she did not have cancer.
Patient Monica Flagg, 54, of Rochester, had her first cancer treatment, then broke her leg and was hospitalized. Her medical records startled Dr. Soe Maunglay, who happened to be making rounds. Maunglay realized she did not have cancer.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
In this photo from Aug. 21, 2013, Christine Lewis of Pontiac wipes away a tear during a support meeting at the ConCorde Inn in Rochester Hills. She was a seven-year patient of Dr. Farid Fata.
In this photo from Aug. 21, 2013, Christine Lewis of Pontiac wipes away a tear during a support meeting at the ConCorde Inn in Rochester Hills. She was a seven-year patient of Dr. Farid Fata.
Mark Bialek, Special To Detroit News
When Dr. Soe Maunglay checked on patient Monica Flagg he asked her, "Who told you that you have cancer?"
When Dr. Soe Maunglay checked on patient Monica Flagg he asked her, "Who told you that you have cancer?"
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Soe Maunglay, left, at age 3, had a blissful childhood in Burma with his physician father Tin Maung, mother Khin Myint Swe, a nurse, and three brothers. Then tragedy struck. He lost both parents and one brother in separate family tragedies.
Soe Maunglay, left, at age 3, had a blissful childhood in Burma with his physician father Tin Maung, mother Khin Myint Swe, a nurse, and three brothers. Then tragedy struck. He lost both parents and one brother in separate family tragedies.
Family Photo
This photo shows Dr. Soe Maunglay as a young boy, age 3 or 4. Maunglay's parents, a physician and a nurse, expected their sons to grow up to become doctors.
This photo shows Dr. Soe Maunglay as a young boy, age 3 or 4. Maunglay's parents, a physician and a nurse, expected their sons to grow up to become doctors.
Family Photo
In this photo from September 2011, Dr. Farid Fata speaks during an event at the Great Lakes Cancer Institute in Clarkston. It was the Swan for Life Cancer Foundation organization's fall fashion show. Fata founded the now defunct charitable foundation.
In this photo from September 2011, Dr. Farid Fata speaks during an event at the Great Lakes Cancer Institute in Clarkston. It was the Swan for Life Cancer Foundation organization's fall fashion show. Fata founded the now defunct charitable foundation.
CBS Detroit And Barbara Nelson
Angel Randolph of Lapeer participates in a support meeting for former patients of Dr. Farid Fata.
Angel Randolph of Lapeer participates in a support meeting for former patients of Dr. Farid Fata.
Mark Bialek, Special To Detroit News
By July 4, 2013, when Dr. Soe Maunglay first looked in on Dr. Farid Fata’s patient, he was well-situated to uncover deeper wrongs: He had caught Fata in an outright lie a few months before, when Fata had insisted the clinics were enrolled in a professional quality program.
By July 4, 2013, when Dr. Soe Maunglay first looked in on Dr. Farid Fata’s patient, he was well-situated to uncover deeper wrongs: He had caught Fata in an outright lie a few months before, when Fata had insisted the clinics were enrolled in a professional quality program.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
Dr. Soe Maunglay’s growing distrust and disenchantment with his employer had led him a few weeks earlier to give notice of his resignation, effective Aug. 9 -- enough time to help patients move to new doctors, to transfer records, without disturbing their lives or disrupting the practice.
Dr. Soe Maunglay’s growing distrust and disenchantment with his employer had led him a few weeks earlier to give notice of his resignation, effective Aug. 9 -- enough time to help patients move to new doctors, to transfer records, without disturbing their lives or disrupting the practice.
Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News
People picket the federal courthouse in Detroit in 2013 at a bail hearing for Dr. Fata.
People picket the federal courthouse in Detroit in 2013 at a bail hearing for Dr. Fata.
David Coates, The Detroit News
"How could a doctor do this?" Dr. Maunglay said, referring to Dr. Fata giving a cancer-free patient chemotherapy. "My father died of cancer. For most of us, cancer is personal."
"How could a doctor do this?" Dr. Maunglay said, referring to Dr. Fata giving a cancer-free patient chemotherapy. "My father died of cancer. For most of us, cancer is personal."
Elizabeth Conley, Elizabeth Conley