OFF BEAT: Chiropractor billing fraud scheme runs in the family

A bogus billing scheme has come back to bite a crooked chiropractor in Ohio.

David Esarco was sentenced last month to three years probation and to pay more than $75,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to defrauding the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation. Authorities say Mr. Esarco billed the BWC for services he never provided, even on dates when there were no office visits scheduled.

Remarkably, Mr. Esarco’s brother, with whom he shares a practice in Boardman, Ohio, was convicted of the same crime last year.

As part of the plea agreement, Mr. Esarco agreed to stop treating injured workers who take part in a workers compensation program. In February, Mr. Esarco will face additional felony charges stemming from allegations he defrauded his insurance company.