This true crime angered me on so many levels. In my research of true crimes, I’ve read about some disgusting people—some cold-hearted and ruthless. Because I write mystery/thriller novels, some of my research may inspire a scene or two or perhaps an entire novel. I’m not inclined to write medical thrillers. If I were, this true crime would need a story with a gruesome ending for the antagonist.
On to the true case. The unmarried, childless Ob/Gyn had been in practice for decades. Over the course of his career, he preyed on woman who were receiving Medicaid, but based on evidence provided, he had no qualms about defrauding other insurance providers.
He performed unnecessary hysterectomies. He induced labor early to be sure he was the doctor to deliver the babies. He falsified records to support the unwarranted procedures, even altered the tech’s findings to validate a need for surgery. One victim agreed to a partial hysterectomy, but when she awoke after the surgery learned he’d performed a full hysterectomy. All for a bigger payout from insurance.
A U.S. Attorney associated with the case said this about the former doctor,
“Motivated by his insatiable and reprehensible greed, [the doctor] used an arsenal of horrifying tactics to manipulate and deceive patients into undergoing invasive, unnecessary, and devastating medical procedures.”
After a four-and-one-half week trial, the jury found him guilty on 52 counts of health care fraud and malpractices. The victims will file civil lawsuits—and rightly so.
According to court documents, as a part of his sentencing, he agreed to pay back over $2.2 million dollars, forfeit his 4,354 sq. ft., million-dollar home on three acres with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, a built-in swimming pool, and a four-car garage along with his offices and contents, his bank accounts, a Bentley, and a Mercedes Roadster.
The same U.S. Attorney who made the statement above, went on to say,
“While no prosecution can undo the lifelong trauma that [the doctor] cruelly inflicted on his patients, today’s sentence ensures that the victims and their families have the last word.”
Source: U.S. District Court, U.S. Department of Justice, On Your Side 10 WAVY