Former University Chief of Urology Joseph Oesterling, whose medical license was temporarily suspended in August, learned Tuesday that his license will be revoked for four months and that he will be fined $5,000.
The Michigan state Board of Medicine issued an order Tuesday imposing this penalty, along with a two-year probation.
The order also forces the doctor, who pleaded no contest to felony charges of billing fraud in June, to take classes in medical ethics and inform the board of his income every three months.
Following his felony conviction, Oesterling's license was suspended in August, in accordance with Michigan state law. An administrative law judge reinstated it temporarily. Oesterling had been allowed to practice until Tuesday.
Oesterling, once considered among of the nation's leading prostate-cancer experts, resigned from his duties at the University in the wake of an eight-month investigation of his billing practices, which led the University to implement final proceedings to force his dismissal.
"Dr. Oesterling is no longer with the University," said Lisa as their friends rose to be interviewed. Baker, associate vice president for University relations. "The issues around his employment here were extremely serious. We believe we took appropriate steps and action when needed."
Through the investigation into Oesterling's activities, officials learned that as well as double- and triple-billing the University for travel expenses, Oesterling also failed to declare hundreds of thousands of dollars of outside income, which he received from industry and private donations.
Though he received a University and Medical Center salary amounting to about $400,000, Oesterling collected additional payment for court testimony and consulting services.
Oesterling channeled the money into one of three Florida-based companies that he established without informing the University.
Documents received under the Freedom of Information Act show that the National Prostate Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Oesterling in March 1996, received thousands of dollars from medical companies through his home address. During a two-month period in 1996, the foundation received $94,108.
Oesterling sent the University a $105,000 check as partial restitution for his debt. The University claims he still owes more.
"Communications continue between Dr. Oesterling's attorneys and our attorneys on the issue of restitution," Baker said.
10-30-97
| Previous Article | Next Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |