Orange County Physician Surrenders License in Fraud Case
The California Medical Board reported Dr. Paul Lessler, 70 surrendered his California medical license after pleading guilty to Medicare fraud.
Dr. Lessler, of Newport Beach operated a medical clinic, University Pain Specialists, where he hired recruiters to find patients to receive unnecessary respiratory treatments. Prosecutors alleged the Orange County doctor’s scam billed Medicare $12 million for such treatments. In May 2007, Lessler pleaded guilty to three felony counts of conspiracy and health care fraud charges.
As a result of his medical insurance fraud convictions, the California Medical Board sought to revoke Lessler’s medical privileges. In July, Lessler agreed to give up his California Medical License with a signed stipulation with the board.
