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Mariela Geneva-Popova remains in custody amid medical fraud allegations
Prof. Mariela Geneva-Popova, the former head of the Rheumatology Clinic at St. George University Hospital and former Dean of the Medical Faculty at the Medical University of Plovdiv, remains in custody after a Plovdiv Appellate Court denied her request for release on bail.
Geneva-Popova is accused of leading an organized criminal group that allegedly defrauded the Health Insurance Fund of more than 3 million euros through falsified hospitalizations. Investigations revealed that several patients recorded as being in the clinic were not physically present, and in some cases, staff blood was used to facilitate the rotation of clinical pathways.
During the court hearing, Geneva-Popova fainted after delivering her final statement. She admitted to administrative violations within the clinic but denied that the facility operated as an illegal organization, suggesting instead that external interests may have been involved in the misconduct. Her defense noted that she resigned from her academic and clinical leadership roles on October 13.
Entities
Health Insurance Fund · Mariela Geneva-Popova · Medical University of Plovdiv · Plovdiv Appellate Court · Rheumatology Clinic
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The investigation suggests patients were recorded as hospitalized despite not being physically present at the clinic. plovdivnow.bg
- [● 3 SOURCES] Geneva-Popova resigned from her positions as Dean of the Medical Faculty and Head of the Rheumatology Clinic on October 13. plovdivnow.bg · podtepeto.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The defense requested that Geneva-Popova be released on monetary bail. podtepeto.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Prof. Mariela Geneva-Popova is accused of leading an organized criminal group. plovdivnow.bg · podtepeto.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Mariela Geneva-Popova denies that the clinic operated as an illegal organization, though she admits to violations. podtepeto.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The scheme allegedly drained over 3 million euros from the Health Insurance Fund through falsified hospitalizations. plovdivnow.bg · podtepeto.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Plovdiv Appellate Court denied the request to change the detention measure to a lighter form. podtepeto.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Six individuals have been charged following an economic police action at the Rheumatology Clinic. plovdivnow.bg