Doctor Arrested on Medicare Theft Charges
A North Hollywood ophthalmologist was arrested Friday on charges of bilking the Medicare program of more than $1.3 million through phony eye-surgery bills, authorities said.
Dr. Alan R. Schankman was taken into custody in handcuffs by investigators who climbed through a window in the reception area of his office after a secretary refused to let them into the inner office, Deputy Dist. Atty. James Baker said.
Schankman, 43, was charged by the district attorney’s office on Thursday with 14 counts of grand theft, Baker said.
If convicted of all counts, the doctor could be sentenced to a maximum of six years in prison.
Schankman and his attorney, Henry Fenton, could not be reached for comment Friday.
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