Attorney General Stumbo Announces Sentencing of Louisville Oral Surgeon

FRANKFORT, KY (January 4, 2006) – Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced today that oral surgeon Robert Michael Clear was sentenced to three years in prison on felony Medicaid fraud charges. The Jefferson Circuit Court sentence was probated for five years on the condition that Clear pay restitution to Medicaid in the amount of $18,175.66. Additionally, Dr. Clear, age 57, was ordered to provide 150 hours of community service each year for the period of probation.

Clear’s licenses to practice in Ohio and Kentucky have also been surrendered. Under the terms of the judgment, Clear is precluded from participation as a provider in any federally funded healthcare program.

Clear had been practicing in the Middletown area near Louisville and has recently worked in the Cincinnati area. Dr. Clear presented fraudulent claims for oral surgery and/or dental services to the Kentucky Medicaid Program.

“The recovery of these Medicaid dollars is critical to people whose lives are dependant upon the program,” said Stumbo. “Fraudulently billing the system is theft and, as this case proves, the guilty will be punished.”

The case has been handled by Lettricea Jefferson-Webb and Mary Cartwright, Assistant Attorneys General, with the Medicaid Fraud Unit. Janet Bonham with the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation, and is also assigned to the Medicaid Fraud Unit, investigated the case. Suspected fraud can be reported to this unit by calling the Attorney General’s tip line at 1-877-ABUSE TIP (1-877-228-7384).

Robert Michael Clear, 57