Scranton podiatrist sentenced for filing false Medicare claims
Published: May 27, 2009
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share thisWILKES-BARRE - A Scranton podiatrist Tuesday was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $23,266 in restitution for taking Medicare payments for services he did not provide.
After U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo issued the sentence, Dr. Thomas Rittenhouse, 75, turned to his family, hugged them and said, "It's all over."
In February, Dr. Rittenhouse pleaded guilty to making a false statement in a health care matter. He had faced up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.
Between January 2003 and June 2008, Dr. Rittenhouse filed false claims to Medicare and was paid an estimated $10,000 to $30,000, according to court documents. He claimed to have performed nail avulsions, a procedure for removing toenails, but actually provided "routine foot care."
During Tuesday's sentencing at the Max Rosenn U.S. Courthouse, Dr. Rittenhouse's lawyer, Joseph Metz, described his client as a man who made a mistake and was willing to atone for his actions.
"He's lived an otherwise blameless life, frankly," Mr. Metz said.
Mr. Metz provided Judge Caputo and Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Kosik-Whitaker with letters of recommendation that touched on Dr. Rittenhouse's medical career since 1957 and his charitable acts, such as supporting a soup kitchen and choral society.
Judge Caputo said he issued the sentence of probation based upon the favorable letters and the absence of prior convictions.
Contact the writer: csheaffer@citizensvoice.com
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