The Hub City physician who blew the whistle on Lafayette Cardiologist Doctor Mehmood Patel is going to court to collect his reward.

Doctor Patel's former partner, Doctor Christopher Mallavarapu stands to receive anywhere from 15 to 25 percent of the monetary damages recovered through the lawsuit, and that could amount to a considerable amount of money.

Under the false claims act the federal government may recover three times the amount of its losses plus civil penalties.

In Patel's case that amounts to 51 counts of healthcare fraud.

When you consider the penalty for each count ranges anywhere from $5,500 to $11,000 per count that is potentially a lot of money.

Patel was convicted of billing Medicare for medically unnecessary cardiovascular procedures.

He remains free pending his appeal.