Patients of convicted Metro Detroit doctor who gave them chemotherapy they didn't need are outraged he wants 'compassionate release' from prison

(WWJ) — Farid Fata, the convicted Oakland County cancer doctor who needlessly gave healthy patients chemotherapy, is asking for “compassionate release” from prison.

Fata has been behind bars for 11 years since pleading guilty to running the healthcare fraud scheme that brought in more than $17 million from fraudulent billings.

Authorities say his crimes harmed more than 500 patients. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

But now, the 59-year-old Fata is again asking to be released, saying his life depends on it. Fata has sought compassionate release in the past, but has been rejected by a federal judge, a prison warden and an appeals court.

In a recent request filed with the court, Fata says he has a rare blood disorder that needs to be treated with a specific drug he cannot get in prison. He maintains that if he does not get released, he will die.

Patty Hester of Clarkston is one of the hundreds of patients that prosecutors identified as being intentionally misdiagnosed and treated by Fata, who she called a “narcissist.”

Hester told WWJ’s Jon Hewett that Fata’s request for compassionate release is “ludicrous.”

“He showed no compassion to anyone. He's ‘worried about his health,’ and he ‘needs care; he’s not getting the proper care,’” she said. “Well hello, not one of the patients that he was supposed to be the doctor of were treated with compassion.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has until Sept. 20 to respond to Fata’s request.

The Department of Justice is asking victims of Fata and their families to write letters to the court before 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, to weigh in on the disgraced doctor’s request. All written statements must be sent via e-mail to Victim Witness Coordinator, Alex Wyatt, at the U.S. Attorney’s Office: Alexandra.wyatt@usdoj.gov.

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