Colorado physician found guilty of destroying patient files to conceal billing fraud

John Van Wu, MD, was convicted in a case alleging he billed insurers and employee benefit programs for services that weren't rendered to patients, according to the Department of Justice.

Prosecutors alleged that Dr. Wu submitted fraudulent claims to insurers through his medical clinic in Denver between January 2011 and March 2015. After a one-week trial in April, a federal jury found Dr. Wu guilty of mail fraud and obstruction of justice.

During the trial, several of Dr. Wu's former patients testified that they did not get expensive procedures described in their files. For example, some files said patients received frequent injections to treat migraine headaches and other conditions, but the patients testified they never received the injections.

During his testimony at trial, Dr. Wu admitted that he shredded patient files while the investigation into his billing practices was ongoing, according to the Justice Department.

Dr. Wu also faces charges for allegedly selling oxycodone prescriptions for cash. The trial related to those charges is slated to begin July 8.

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