NORFOLK, Va. — A former OBGYN who was convicted on fraud charges after subjecting numerous women to dozens of unnecessary surgeries was sentenced Tuesday.
Javaid Perwaiz will spend the next 59 years in prison.
A jury found Perwaiz guilty on 52 charges related to healthcare fraud back in November. He initially faced 61.
Many women say they trusted their doctor -- who was Perwaiz -- until they found out the 71-year-old man performed surgeries they never needed.
“I had a hysterectomy. He told me and my family that I had cancer. I had none of it,” explained Anita Fuller.
A federal judge sentenced Perwaiz to almost six decades in prison for healthcare fraud and false statements related to healthcare matters.
“59 years, that is alright. He is off the streets,” Fuller said.
Perwaiz maintains his innocence, but in court, a judge said she received more than 60 victim impact letters. A few of those women read their statements in the courtroom saying they now suffer from depression and are in therapy.
“I have problems a lot of problems with my bladder and it's sad a doctor would do something like this," Wilma White said.
White said she forgives Perwaiz, but will never forget how he changed her life.
“He told me he was giving me a total hysterectomy, but the Optima papers said they did a partial hysterectomy," White said. "Right now, I don’t know what I have.”
Dozens of women said they’ll have to live with pain for the rest of their lives and some will never be able to have more children.
“That man does not care about any of us women. He doesn’t care what he’s done to anybody. It was all about his lavish lifestyle,” Fuller remarked.
While Perwaiz is in prison, Fuller told 13News Now how she plans to push forward.
“A lot prayer, a lot of prayer,” Fuller said.
The federal judge also ordered Perwaiz to pay more than $18 million in restitution.