WILKES-BARRE – A local chiropractor with an office in Wilkes-Barre who was charged with insurance fraud and other related charges stemming from the theft of more than $24,000 from patients’ insurance was sentenced Thursday to 23 months probation.

Michael J. Spiccioli, of Mountain Top, owner of Spiccioli Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center on Sherman Street, was sentenced by Luzerne County Judge Thomas Burke on charges of insurance fraud and theft by deception.

Spiccioli, who pleaded no contest to the charges in March, also received 200 hours of community service.

“It’s been a long 18 months,” Spiccioli, 41, said Thursday. “This has definitely scarred me … it has affected my life.”

He was charged in September 2008 after the Northeastern Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Task Force searched his office and seized computers, patient records, appointment books and sign-in books.

Spiccioli was accused of defrauding 12 insurance firms since October 2003 by billing the companies for office visits and medical procedures of more than 20 patients that never occurred, according to the criminal complaint. Some of the companies were billed for days that the patients had canceled their appointments or the office was closed, the complaint stated.

The patients were being treated for workers’ compensation injuries and automobile accident injuries, the affidavit stated.

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