Doctor Describes ‘Gift From the Lord’ in Earning Millions
A La Jolla doctor accused of performing unnecessary eye surgeries on mostly elderly patients likened himself to God and described having a “gift from the Lord” that allowed him to earn millions of dollars, according to documents released Thursday.
“It’s great to be alive and have what I have,” Dr. Jeffrey Rutgard, 41, wrote in an entry of a journal obtained by the state attorney general’s office.
Rutgard is under state and federal investigation for performing unneeded surgeries--including cataract operations--on at least 30 patients, bilking Medicare of millions of dollars, and paying $10,000 to keep an employee quiet about the details of his practice, officials said.
He also allegedly doctored patients’ records to justify his actions, operated on patients who did not realize they were undergoing surgery, and reused disposable suture equipment and needles during operations, according to court records.
In a hearing today, the attorney general’s office will request an immediate suspension of Rutgard’s medical practice.
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