A workers’ compensation doctor who pleaded guilty to two felony counts of billing fraud was ordered to pay more than $1.7 million in restitution to nine insurance companies that were over-billed and to complete 300 hours of community service, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
Gil Tepper, 58, of Beverly Hills, could face up to six years in state prison if he does not comply with the terms of the plea agreement, which also requires him to undergo six months of electronic monitoring, according to the District Attorney’s Office. He is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom for sentencing next Jan. 28.
The plea agreement permanently disqualifies Tepper from being a provider in the workers’ compensation system and bars him from operating any physician-owned medical supply distribution company.
Tepper submitted fraudulent invoices with inflated prices for medical supplies bought by his practice, Miracle Mile Medical Center, from another company he owned, Metalink Distributors Inc., according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Co-defendant Jorge Antonio Vital, 46, is charged with eight felony counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud and one felony count each of conspiracy to commit a crime and attempted perjury under oath. He is due back in court Feb. 19, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial.