Published: 2011-03-02 20:14:50
Author: Kelsey Cano and Chelsey Levingston | Hamilton Journal-News | March 2, 2011
COLUMBUS — A Fairfield chiropractor has admitted guilt to workers’ compensation fraud, a third-degree felony, as part of a plea deal.
Dr. Gary T. Berner from the Back and Spine Center, 2336 Mack Road, was indicted in July 2010 for his part in a scheme in which his colleague, Dr. Bruce E. Holaday, allegedly continued to bill the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation after being banned from treating injured workers, according to a news release.
Investigators from the BWC Special Investigations Department found that Berner allowed Holaday to use his name and provider identification number to unlawfully bill BWC for treatment Holaday personally directed, though he was previously decertified as a BWC health care provider. The decertification prohibited Holaday from seeking and receiving reimbursement, according to the news release.
As part of his plea, Berner will pay $104,400 in restitution and $5,000 for the cost of the investigation. Sentencing is set for April 21.
Three other clinic employees also were investigated and convicted of fraud as part of the investigation.