Ark. Doctor Hit with Fraud, Theft Charges

A former candidate for lieutenant governor in Arkansas is accused of billing insurance companies for dozens of operations and hundreds of office visits that reportedly never occurred, according to an Associated Press report.

Dr. James Curtis Dilday reportedly once used health-care reform as a platform plank when he made a run for statewide office. The state Insurance Department leveled the accusations, and Dilday has pleaded innocent theft and insurance fraud charges.

Dilday, who was released on $50,000 bond, reportedly entered an innocent plea on last week.

An Insurance Department investigator, in documents prepared in support of 12 counts each of theft of property and insurance fraud, listed 234 office visits and 39 operations that reportedly never occurred.

An affidavit also says that Dilday is not licensed by the state Medical
Board to perform any operations. The documents say Dilday reportedly received more than $127,000 from insurance companies on those claims.