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Doctor who was lawmaker gets probation for insurance fraud

Posted at 7:39 PM, Oct 24, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-24 19:39:32-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) – A Lansing-area doctor who served in the state Legislature has been placed on probation for making false statements to an insurer.

It was a significant break Monday for Paul DeWeese, whose clinic, NBO Medical, performed nerve block injections. He was required to tell Blue Cross Blue Shield that he had signed off on procedures performed by nurse practitioners.

But the government says he sometimes gave his log-in information to others. DeWeese has repaid $173,000 to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Prosecutors say DeWeese “ignored professional standards, dismissed a multitude of warnings about his medical practices and engaged in criminal fraud.”

In a letter to federal Judge Robert Jonker, DeWeese says he’s “deeply ashamed” of his actions.

He served two terms in the Michigan House.