Updated 1/23/20

A Lawrence County physician has been charged in connection with a seven million dollar healthcare fraud conspiracy.

James Crabb, 78, of Loretto, appeared in a U-S Magistrate Court early last week.

The doctor is accused of gaining access to medicare patients and allegedly signing orders and prescriptions without any pre-existing doctor patient relationship or examination.

Crabb is also accused of assigning an unlicensed assistant to sign his name to prescriptions in exchange for money.

Officials suspect Crabb received at least $493,780 worth of kickbacks from the scheme which involved others and caused the submission of approximately 7 million dollars false claims.

Crabb was released on certain conditions, including that he not be allowed to practice medicine.

If convicted, Crabb would face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services office of Inspector General.