Georgia Doctor Sentenced to Probation in Health Fraud Case

A Georgia doctor accused of treating patients with a chemical used in pesticides was sentenced to five years probation for health care fraud.

Sentenced on Jan. 24, Dr. Totada Shanthaveerappa pleaded guilty Oct. 30 to defrauding health insurance companies by submitting false and misleading claims for payment, which disguised the types of drugs and treatments that he provided to patients, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

U.S. District Judge Richard Story also ordered Shanthaveerappa, 73, of Stone Mountain to pay restitution in the amount of $650,000.

Before his license was suspended by the state medical board in December 2005, he operated a clinic in Stockbridge that advertised “safe and effective, nontoxic, scientifically based alternative” medicine that could cure or control chronic diseases such as cancer, U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said.