Texas Chiropractor Indicted for Fraud

A Jasper, Texas chiropractor is facing felony charges following an undercover “sting” operation conducted by Texas Mutual Insurance Company. On July 15, 2003, a Travis County grand jury indicted Dr. Michael T. Fleck, owner of East Texas Chiropractic, on insurance fraud-related charges.

Texas MutualSM investigators began reviewing Dr. Fleck’s billing practices after learning that he had reportedly taken several patients off work after other doctors had already released them to return to work. In some cases, Dr. Fleck allegedly refused to return patients to work even when they said they were pain-free and able to return to work. The investigation also revealed that Dr. Fleck allegedly charged unusually large amounts for so-called “aquatic therapy.”

A Texas MutualSM workers’ compensation specialist assisted the investigators by posing as an injured worker. Dr. Fleck treated him for several weeks, and the investigators documented it, minute by minute. Later, the investigators contrasted the treatment Dr. Fleck delivered with the bills he submitted for the treatment. Their findings allege that Dr. Fleck fraudulently billed Texas Mutual Insurance Company for services not rendered and for services to which he was not entitled payment.

The Texas MutualSM investigators presented their evidence to the Travis County District Attorney’s office. Assistant District Attorney Jim Young handled the case.