Optometrist from Derby Sentenced to Prison for Wire Fraud

WICHITA, KS—An optometrist from Derby, Kansas has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud in a scheme to collect more than $500,000 in pay for eye exams that never were performed, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today. In addition, he was ordered to pay $583,060 in restitution.

Wade D. Abbey, 47, Derby, Kansas, pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud. An indictment filed in March 2012 alleged that the crimes were committed while Abbey and his wife were working as optometrists for Visions Doctors of Optometry. They were paid an hourly wage and additional fees for each full eye exam they conducted. Wade Abbey inflated the number of eye exams they performed and provided false information to an accountant who paid them based on the false information.

In his plea, Abbey admitted that:

• On January 6, 2010, he sent an e-mail stating that he provided 177 full eye exams and his wife provided 160 full eye exams, which he knew was not true.
• On January 20, 2010, he sent an e-mail stating he provided 197 full eye exams and his wife provided 186 full eye exams, which he knew was not true.
• On February 3, 2010, he sent an e-mail stating he provided 206 full eye exams and his wife provided 185 full eye exams, which he knew was not true.
• On March 31, 2010, he sent an e-mail stating he provided 207 full eye exams and his wife provided 185 full eye exams, which he knew was not true.
• On June 23, 2010, he sent an e-mail stating he provided 187 full eye exams and his wife provided 176 full eye exams, which he knew was not true.

As a result of the fraud, he was paid $583,060.

Grissom commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.