Dr. to Undergo “Cell” Replacement Therapy By Robert Warne - June 9, 2003A San Diego physician’s popular claims version of a happy meal has been discontinued indefinitely pending the outcome of 23 counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud and perjury.
James Louis Stakely, 65, may have had a good thing going at one time but the tables turned on him when he got sloppy in his old age and gave a couple investigators the preferential claims treatment.
For his actions, Stakely was indicted and taken down to the station June 4 for his first installment of “cell” replacement therapy.
Undercover operatives posing as patients visited Stakely at his Industrial Physician Medical Group practice in 1999 and 2001.
On his initial visit, without being examined, the first operative was granted 18-months of non-work status and was told by Stakely he should receive an MRI and undergo other procedures.
Stakely never examined the second operative either, yet he ordered an MRI for the patient’s alleged back injury.
Stakely even ordered up a set of dye injections for both patients to determine if there were spinal injuries and advised them that they would be eligible for a permanent total disability retirement and compensation packages.
Even though investigators found a large amount of cash at his practice when they searched the facility, none of it can be applied to Stakely’s $100,000 bail.
If convicted, Stakely could face up to 20 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.
|