A Fairfield (Butler County), Ohio chiropractor has pleaded guilty to workers compensation fraud, a third-degree felony, in a case that already resulted in charges against four additional employees of the Back and Spine Center, located at 2336 Mack Rd.
Dr. Gary Berner accepted the plea to avoid an impending trial stemming from an investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) Special Investigations Department (SID) and Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office. (WCxKit)
Berner was indicted in July 2010 for his role in a scheme that allowed his colleague, Dr. Bruce Holaday, to continue billing BWC after being banned from treating injured workers.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWines office assisted in the investigation into Holaday, Berner and three other clinic employees.
Holaday was indicted on one count each of workers comp fraud and theft, felonies of the third degree; 32 counts of forgery, each fifth-degree felonies; and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (racketeering), a first-degree felony. His trial is set for March 29. The three other clinic employees have been convicted of fraud as part of the investigation. (WCxKit)
As part of his plea, Berner agreed to pay $104,000 in restitution and $5,000 investigative costs. His sentencing is scheduled for April 21, 2011.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact:[email protected] or 860-553-6604.
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