Connecticut dentist sentenced to 8 years for Medicaid fraud

Dentist Gary Anusavice was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison for collecting $20 million in fraudulent claims from Medicaid, as well as for performing unnecessary dental procedures at his network of Connecticut clinics that targeted poor patients. Anusavice had previously been barred from practicing in other New England states after losing his licenses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. His run-ins with the law began in Massachusetts in 1997 after he was convicted of making false healthcare claims there as well. From 1997-2006, he was also convicted in federal court of filing false tax returns. Apparently he didn't learn his lesson, because he committed the same crimes while in Connecticut. He tried to cover his tracks by shuffling money around, using bogus names, and attempting to avoid signing documents, but the Connecticut Department of Social Services was alerted to his fraudulent practices, which led to a joint state and federal investigation.

Anusavice has been ordered to pay more than $10 million in restitution and fines, and has also relinquished his 8000-square-foot home, boat, and Mercedes-Benz to authorities.

For more information on this case, read the following article from the Hartford Courant: