Fraud trial of NW Ind. doctor moved to South Bend

HAMMOND, Ind. — The health care fraud trial of a Merrillville nose surgeon captured in Italy after more than five years on the run is now set for South Bend.

The Times of Munster reports U.S. District Judge Philip Simon issued a ruling and opinion Monday saying he didn’t believe potential jurors in northwestern Indiana could put aside all of the media coverage about Mark Weinberger and the fact he once agreed to plead guilty in the case. He later withdrew that plea.

Weinberger was indicted on 22 counts of health care nearly five years ago. The government claims he filed insurance claims for surgeries he never performed, causing about $318,000 in damages.

Weinberger has been in federal custody since his extradition shortly after his arrest in the Italian Alps in 2009.