A Perth doctor and his accountant wife have been charged with defrauding nearly $1.6 million in Medicare payments.
The Corruption and Crime Commission has alleged the 50-year-old doctor, based at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, deliberately understated his earnings in official documents over four years.
The CCC has alleged he billed Medicare directly, with payments going into his company’s bank account, and directed Medicare benefit cheques to his home address.
The alleged fraud resulted in a shortfall to the hospital of just under $1.6 million.
The doctor’s 49-year-old wife maintained the accounts of a company operated by the couple into which the concealed funds were allegedly paid.
The CCC has alleged the accountant certified the doctor’s annual statements of earning submitted to the hospital despite knowing they were inaccurate.
The couple has been charged with four counts of fraud and are due to appear in court.