VAN NUYS : Psychiatrist Sentenced to 6 Months in Halfway House

A psychiatrist was sentenced Monday to six months in a halfway house for misdiagnosing patients at a San Fernando Valley hospital in a scheme to get insurers to pay for treatment.

Barry A. Smolev, 48, also was placed on five years’ probation by U.S. District Judge Terry Hatter Jr.

Smolev avoided prison time because he cooperated with prosecutors in their investigation of an inpatient treatment program for people with eating disorders at Van Nuys Community Hospital, where he worked as a staff psychiatrist.

Janet Greeson, who recruited Smolev to head the program, called “A Place for Us,” has not been indicted. But Assistant U.S. Atty. Ronni MacLaren said there is an ongoing investigation into her conduct.

In court, Smolev told Hatter that he began working for Greeson in January, 1991, and after recognizing the fraud, pulled out in October of that year. He began cooperating with authorities 14 months later.

Smolev pleaded guilty on May 17, 1993, to single counts of mail fraud, causing an act to be done and helping to prepare a false tax return. He could have received as much as three years in prison.