Family Physician Charged With 13 Felonies: Dr. Verbovsky Accused Of Prescribing Patients Drugs In Exchange For Sexual Favors
Dr. John Verbovsky, a family physician operating in two clinics in Michigan, has been charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of racketeering, conspiracy to deliver controlled substances less than 50 grams, and nine counts of Medicare fraud after he allegedly prescribed drugs in an attempt to coerce patients into sexual activities.
“Physicians are supposed to heal their patients, not exploit them,” Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said in a Facebook post.
In a press release, the Attorney General said that the physician prescribed medication “based not upon medical need, but instead allegedly using his prescriptive authority as a physician to coerce sexual favors and money from patients.”
According to Schuette, Dr. Verbovsky allegedly prescribed multiple prescriptions for pain medicine to two separate female patients, and then forced them to perform sexual acts in order to obtain another prescription.
Investigators in the physician’s case reported that they found photographs on Verbovsky’s computer of an alleged victim on her knees, gagged, and bound.
If convicted, Verbovsky potentially faces life in prison, according to the Detroit News.
“The racketeering charge is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. Conspiracy to deliver less than 50 grams of a controlled substance is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $35,000 fine. The Medicaid fraud is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.”
Verbovsky has a Healthgrades rating of five out of five stars, and maintains active licenses to practice medicine and prescribe medication. He practices osteopathic medicine and was recognized last year with a “Patients’ Choice Award” and received the “Top 10 Doctor” award for Sterling Heights. According to Vitals, which featured many exemplary reviews of “Dr. John,” Verbovsky is affiliated with ten hospitals, including DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital and Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals.
Verbovsky was arraigned in Ingham County before District Judge Andrea Larkin. The 67-year-old family physician was released on $50,000 personal bond after he was arraigned. Anyone with more information pertaining to the family physician is asked to call the Health Care Fraud Division’s hotline and report additional details that could assist in Dr. Verbovsky’s case: 1-800-24-ABUSE (1-800-242-2873).
[Photo via the physician’s Google+ page]
