Former Business Manager of Metropolitan Urological Specialists Indicted for Fraud
| U.S. Attorney’s Office March 01, 2012 |
ST. LOUIS—The United States Attorney’s Office announced the indictment of Dunard Morris on several counts, including mail and wire fraud and violations of the Stolen Valor Act.
According to the indictment, Dunard Morris was the business manager of Metropolitan Urological Specialists (MUS), a practice group of doctors, from 2006 until last September. He embezzled millions of dollars and concealed the embezzlement through a series of lies, misrepresentations, and deceits to the doctor-shareholders.
The indictment states that Morris repeatedly increased his own base salary from MUS, without authorization or disclosure to shareholders, and also caused MUS to pay him hundreds of thousands of dollars in unauthorized, undisclosed bonuses and reimbursements, along with hundreds of thousands of dollars of meal and entertainment expenses incurred at local restaurants. Morris allegedly used MUS monies to purchase hundreds of thousands of dollars of costly assets and services, including high-end jewelry, luxury automobiles, expensive firearms, designer clothing, fine wine, national and international travel, and other items, for the benefit of himself and others; and paid $5,400 per month in rent charges for a luxury apartment.
Additionally, the indictment alleges that Morris told doctors that he was a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps and winner of the Navy Cross medal for extraordinary heroism, among other military honors, when in fact, he had never been awarded the Navy Cross and had been discharged from the military for misconduct under other than honorable conditions.
Morris, 48, St. Charles, Missouri, was indicted by a federal grand jury late Wednesday on five felony counts of mail and wire fraud and one count of stolen valor.
If convicted, mail and wire fraud carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. Violation of the Stolen Valor Act carries a maximum of one year and/or fines up to $100,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. Additionally, upon a finding of guilt, Morris will be subject to a forfeiture allegation, which will require the forfeiture to the government all property derived from the illegal activity.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John Sauer is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.