A Highland doctor was sentenced to just over eight years Wednesday for bilking nearly $22 million from the U.S. government for non-existent sinus procedures.
Bethany Cataldi, 54, of Chesterton, pleaded guilty in July to healthcare fraud. U.S. District Judge Gretchen Lund sentenced her to 97 months in prison. She faced up to 10 years.
Her lawyer, Jonathan Meltz, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
As part of the plea deal, Cataldi will have one year of supervised release after prison and repay $19.1 million in restitution.
Court records allege the Center for Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery scheduled fake surgeries from March 2015 to December 2023. At least eight patients confirmed to investigators that their operations never happened.
In total, Cataldi’s practice billed the government for over 1,800 balloon sinuplasty procedures — an outpatient procedure used to treat chronic sinus infections. Investigators estimated she only had supplies for 100 patients.
“This sentence reflects that doctors who engage in such outrageous behavior will face significant consequences in this District,” U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred said in a statement.
As part of her plea deal, the government will seize several assets, like designer jewelry, a couple of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, expensive guitars, and several bank accounts towards repayment.
She also “agreed to sell real estate and other luxury assets” bought with the money, according to a release.
State records show her medical license is expired.
Assistant United States Attorney Francis Sohn led the case.
