Two Doctors Plead Guilty to Falsifying Bills

Two doctors employed at cosmetic surgery clinics pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court Tuesday to falsely billing insurance companies.

Teofilo Po, 69, of Whittier entered guilty pleas to two counts of mail fraud in connection with his work at the Beverly Hills Outpatient Surgery Center and at the Advanced Laser Surgical Medical Group in Huntington Beach.

Prosecutors said Po falsely told insurance companies that he was assisted by another surgeon who was not present during the procedures. Po’s lawyer said his client did not profit from the false statements and was simply following orders.

Also pleading guilty to mail fraud in the same case Tuesday was David B. Gendein, 41, of West Hollywood. He was accused of inflating the amount of time he spent in the operating room at the Beverly Hills Outpatient Surgery Center and of falsely representing that he provided anesthesia services during medically necessary procedures.

Sentencing for both men is scheduled for Sept. 7.