Pa. dentist claims fraud charges based on 'envy'

The lawyer for a Pennsylvania dentist accused of insurance fraud claims the charges are based on "class envy."

Kevin Sambuchino, DMD, who owns Lake Erie Dental in Erie faces 16 felony counts of fraud for allegedly billing patients' insurers for high-quality crowns but actually installing crowns that cost less, according to a story on GoErie.com.

At Dr. Sambuchino's arraignment July 16, his lawyer, Charles Steele of Pittsburgh, told reporters that the case was simply the result of jealousy by those less successful than his client.

"It makes for good press but it makes for bad justice," Steele said, according to the story.

Before the police investigation, Steele said Dr. Sambuchino had examined his books and found no fraud in his billing practices. No charges would have been filed if the Erie County District Attorney's Office had discussed the matter first with Dr. Sambuchino, his attorney said.

The complaint stated that the charges were based on hundreds of insurance claims that Dr. Sambuchino submitted, but the amount of fraud was not specified, according to the story.

The criminal probe was reportedly triggered by Robert Halmi, DDS, who practiced with Dr. Sambuchino from 2006 until he resigned from Lake Erie Dental in 2009, the story stated. The two were in a financial dispute, according to court records.

Steele called Dr. Halmi a "disgruntled employee."