ATLANTA — A metro Atlanta urology center and its founder have agreed to pay $14 million to settle allegations they violated the Georgia False Medicaid Claims Act.

Dr. Jitesh Patel and Advanced Urology agreed to the settlement over claims they billed government healthcare programs for a series of unnecessary medical procedures.

Federal officials say the allegations involve billing programs including Medicare and Medicaid for procedures that were not performed or were not medically necessary.

U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg says abuse of patients and misuse of government funds will not be tolerated.

Jim Mooney with Georgia’s Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division says fraud against these programs amounts to stealing from Georgia taxpayers.

The investigation began after two whistleblower complaints were filed by Advanced Urology employees.

Under the civil settlement, no liability has been determined.

WSB Radio’s Cheryl Castro contributed to this story.