Caulfield Osteopath Convicted of TAC Fraud

16 Jul 2012

MEDIA RELEASE: 16 July 2012

A Caulfield South osteopath who treated road crash victims has been convicted and fined $5000 for fraudulently obtaining payments from the TAC.

Rodney Rowe, 35, pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday to billing the TAC for 90 patient consultations between 2007 and 2010 that never took place.

After submitting invoices containing false information to the TAC, Dr Rowe obtained $3970.60 from the TAC to which he was not entitled.

Dr Rowe, who trades under the name 'East St Kilda Sports and Spinal Clinic', was also convicted of defrauding WorkSafe and fined an additional $16,000.

Magistrate John Lesser said the acts committed by Dr Rowe were very serious dishonesty offences by a professional person, and emphasised that the system relied on professionals in his position acting with honesty and integrity.

He said the doctor's behaviour was a breach of trust.

Under section 60 of the Transport Accident Act 1986, the TAC funds the reasonable cost of osteopathic services for patients with injuries sustained in transport accidents.

A TAC spokesperson said the organisation took fraud very seriously and where there was evidence of misconduct, the TAC would exercise its strong legislative powers to investigate and prosecute.

For further information please contact: Sarah Henderson on 0429 294 262.