A trusted Ohio physician just received over five years in federal prison for orchestrating a scheme that bilked Medicare out of $14.5 million without ever examining a single patient.
Story Snapshot
- Timothy Sutton, 44, sentenced to 64 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $6 million in restitution
- Physician falsely certified telemedicine examinations he never performed to authorize unnecessary medical equipment
- Fraud involved durable medical equipment and cancer genetic testing through Florida-based companies
- Case highlights growing federal crackdown on telemedicine fraud schemes targeting Medicare
The Digital Deception That Fooled Medicare
Timothy Sutton operated a modern version of an old-fashioned con game. The North Ridgeville physician partnered with two Florida-based telemedicine companies, digitally signing pre-completed orders for medical equipment and genetic testing. The catch? Sutton never spoke to, examined, or even saw the patients whose treatment he authorized. His medical license became nothing more than a rubber stamp for a multi-million-dollar fraud machine.
Ohio Physician Gets 5 Years in Prison for Role in $14.5M Medicare Fraudhttps://t.co/JHK9OT8l1V
Timothy Sutton was sentenced 5 years and 4 months in prison by after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and mail fraud.
— Thomas Weaver (@ThomasW39947729) January 19, 2026
The scheme targeted two lucrative Medicare categories: durable medical equipment like braces and cancer genetic testing. These areas represent prime hunting grounds for fraudsters because they generate high reimbursement rates and face less stringent oversight than traditional medical procedures. Sutton’s role was crucial—his physician credentials provided the medical authority needed to make fraudulent claims appear legitimate to Medicare reviewers.
Federal Prosecutors Draw the Line
U.S. District Judge David A. Ruiz handed down the 64-month sentence on January 12, 2026, after Sutton pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving wire fraud, mail fraud, false healthcare statements, and aggravated identity theft. The restitution order of nearly $6 million reflects the government’s determination to recover taxpayer funds lost to healthcare fraud.
United States Attorney David M. Toepfer delivered a clear message about accountability in the healthcare system. “We will not tolerate those who utilize their positions of authority to defraud Medicare,” he stated. This prosecution represents part of a broader federal initiative targeting telemedicine fraud that exploited regulatory gaps during the pandemic era’s rapid expansion of remote healthcare services.
The Human Cost of Medical Betrayal
FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen characterized Sutton’s actions as “cruel and calculating,” emphasizing how the fraud violated the fundamental trust patients place in healthcare providers. The scheme didn’t just steal money—it potentially compromised patient care by authorizing unnecessary treatments and equipment that patients didn’t need.
HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto highlighted the broader implications of physician fraud. “When a physician knowingly violates their oath, it erodes the very foundation of trust,” he explained. This erosion affects not just the immediate victims but undermines confidence in the entire healthcare system, making patients more skeptical of legitimate medical recommendations.
Sources:
Ohio Physician Gets 64 Months for Role in $14.5M Medicare Fraud
DOJ rolls out new healthcare fraud unit: 5 things to know
