Michigan Doctor, a Former Lawmaker, Gets Probation for Insurance Fraud

A Lansing, Mich.-area doctor who is a former state lawmaker has been placed on probation for making false statements to an insurer.

Judge Robert Jonker on Oct. 24 gave a significant break to Paul DeWeese, whose clinic, NBO Medical, performed nerve block injections. Federal prosecutors wanted a prison sentence.

DeWeese was required to tell Blue Cross Blue Shield that he had signed off on procedures performed by nurse practitioners. But he sometimes gave his log-in information to others. DeWeese has repaid $173,000 to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Separately, he agreed to pay $289,000 to the federal government to settle other allegations.

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

DeWeese says he’s “deeply ashamed” of his actions.