Prosecutors are claiming an Alaska-based dentist is guilty of Medicaid fraud for reportedly pulling a patient’s tooth while operating a hoverboard.
The dentist, Seth Lookhart, was charged with 17 counts of Medicaid fraud in 2016 for billing out $1.8 million in unnecessary IV sedations, The Seattle Times reports.
Investigators in the case reportedly found a video tape with footage of Lookhart pulling an unconscious patient’s tooth while riding a hoverboard. After filming the stunt, Lookhart allegedly sent the video to his office manager with the caption: “new standard of care.”
Lookhart appeared at a court hearing Wednesday in Anchorage, where the judge residing in the case ruled he was at risk for fleeing trial, The Anchorage Daily News reports. The dentist owns a dental clinic in Brazil, and likely has the financial resources to flea.
Prosecutors in the case claim that in July, 2016, Lookhart’s practice hit a rather tough financial stretch. Lawmakers changed Medicaid billing practices such that one of Lookhart’s primary services was no longer covered.
To get out of a tight spot, Lookhart and his office manager decided to move away from simple procedures and shift their focus to more lucrative operations, like tooth extractions. Prosecutors found that after July, the number of extractions performed by Lookhart’s practice increased 74 percent, while the number of regular procedures fell by 91 percent.
Lookhart forfeited his passport to authorities at the hearing and his bail was set at a hefty $250,000. He will next appear in court on June 6.
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