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2 clusters · 8 sources · 8 days · First seen 15 days ago · Last updated 8 days ago

NHIF fraud investigation in Plovdiv

Overview

The Plovdiv District Court ordered the detention of Professor Mariela Geneva-Popova, head of the Rheumatology Clinic at UMBAL ‘St. George’, following an investigation into a large-scale scheme to defraud the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Prosecutors alleged the scheme involved generating revenue through fictitious hospitalizations and issuing over 5,000 fraudulent referrals. One suspect, an accountant at Geneva-Popova’s private medical center, was released on bail, while an elderly physician was released due to health issues.

Subsequently, the Plovdiv Appellate Court denied Geneva-Popova’s request for release on bail, keeping her in custody. The investigation suggests an organized criminal group allegedly defrauded the fund of more than 3 million euros. Evidence indicated that patients recorded as being in the clinic were not physically present and that staff blood was used to facilitate the rotation of clinical pathways.

During her court appearance, Geneva-Popova admitted to administrative violations but denied that the facility operated as an illegal organization, suggesting external interests might be involved. She resigned from her academic and clinical leadership roles on October 13.

Entities

Mariela Geneva-Popova · Adrian Belov · Medical University of Plovdiv · Plovdiv Appellate Court · Plovdiv District Court

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Prof. Mariela Geneva-Popova is accused of leading an organized criminal group. novini247.com · plovdivnow.bg · podtepeto.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The scheme allegedly drained over 3 million euros from the Health Insurance Fund through falsified hospitalizations. novini247.com · plovdivnow.bg · podtepeto.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Geneva-Popova resigned from her positions as Dean of the Medical Faculty and Head of the Rheumatology Clinic on October 13. novini247.com · plovdivnow.bg · podtepeto.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Mariela Geneva-Popova denies that the clinic operated as an illegal organization, though she admits to violations. novini247.com · podtepeto.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The defense requested that Geneva-Popova be released on monetary bail. novini247.com · podtepeto.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The investigation suggests patients were recorded as hospitalized despite not being physically present at the clinic. plovdivnow.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] Six individuals have been charged following an economic police action at the Rheumatology Clinic. plovdivnow.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Plovdiv Appellate Court denied the request to change the detention measure to a lighter form. podtepeto.com

Timeline

8 days ago

[CRIME] 5 sources
Mariela Geneva-Popova remains in custody amid medical fraud allegations
Prof. Mariela Geneva-Popova remains in custody after a Plovdiv court denied her bail request in a 3 million euro medical fraud case involving falsified hospitalizations.
15 days ago

[CRIME] 5 sources
Plovdiv court detains rheumatology chief in NHIF fraud case
Professor Mariela Geneva-Popova remains in custody following a confession regarding a scheme to defraud Bulgaria’s National Health Insurance Fund through thousands of fictitious hospitalizations.

Sources

breaking.bg · kliuki.bg · novini247.com · petel.bg · plovdivnow.bg · podtepeto.com · standartnews.com · viaranews.com