West Virginia Doctor Convicted of Insurance Fraud Denied New Trial

A federal judge has denied a convicted West Virginia physician’s request for a new trial.

Dr. John C. Sharp of Marlinton was convicted last year on 29 counts of health care fraud for billing insurers for services he never performed. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced on each count.

Sharp’s lead attorney at the trial did not put him on the stand. A motion filed earlier this year alleged Sharp was denied his right to testify, but U.S. District Judge Irene Keeley in Elkins ruled last Thursday that right had not been violated.

A federal jury convicted the 67-year-old osteopath in June 2008. Jurors said Sharp defrauded Medicare, Medicaid and West Virginia workers’ compensation of $570,434 between May 1998 and January 2006.