DALLAS (AP) — A Dallas anesthesiologist faces up to 70 years in prison for a $10 million health care billing scam and procedures he did not do.
Dr. Richard Toussaint Jr. was convicted Thursday night in Dallas on seven counts of health care fraud. Toussaint is a co-founder of the Forest Park Medical Center chain that went into bankruptcy last year.
The chain had hospitals in Fort Worth, Frisco, Dallas, Southlake and other locations in Texas.
Federal prosecutors say the case involved bills submitted for procedures Toussaint said he performed, but he actually was flying on his private jet or was in another state.
Claims were made to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, United Healthcare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
The 58-year-old Toussaint, who was indicted last May, faces a maximum 10 years in prison and a $250,000 penalty per count.
Prosecutors say the doctor, who bought expensive cars including two Rolls-Royces and three Bentleys, could have to forfeit some property.