Utah Optometrist Admits to False Medical Claims

A southern Utah optometrist has pleaded guilty to filing more than $30,000 in false medical claims through Medicaid.

Dr. David P. Eastman of Cedar City pleaded guilty in Utah’s 3rd District Court to a felony charge of submitting fraudulent claims.

The Utah Attorney General’s Office says the plea agreement requires Eastman to reimburse the state’s Medicaid program before August 31.

Assistant Attorney General Robert Morton says Eastman submitted the claims for patients he never treated or examined.

The scheme was discovered by state fraud investigators after a woman reported payments were incorrectly made to Eastman for treating her children.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 18.