A Los Gatos chiropractor convicted of defrauding insurance companies of more than $250,000 by overbilling them for services he didn't perform will pay an unusually steep price: two years in state prison.

Robert Arnold Demarco, 42, of Morgan Hill was sentenced Monday by Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Kenneth P. Barnum. Demarco had pleaded guilty to one count each of felony grand theft and presenting a false insurance claim.

Prosecutor Michael Adams said Demarco will serve time in state prison rather than get probation for two reasons: the amount of money involved — $256,916 — and his refusal to make restitution since he was caught in February 2007.

"Despite being given an opportunity, he didn't pay it back," Adams said. "He had this sort of arrogant disbelief that anything was going to happen to him."

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