ERIE — UPMC Hamot and Medicor Associates have settled a long-running federal whistleblower lawsuit alleging kickbacks for patient referrals.

According to the Erie Times News, the hospital and cardiology practice were sued in 2010 by Dr. Tullio Emanuele, a cardiologist who practiced with Medicor from 2001 to 2005. The suit alleged the hospital created sham directorships for Medicor doctors, and paid them for referrals to the hospital.

The suit was settled for $20.7 million, most of which will go to the federal government. Emanuele, as the whistleblower, will receive 25 to 30 percent of the settlement, the Erie paper reported.

The Justice Department must sign off on the settlement.