Staff Reports
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
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Sentencing for a Newfane dentist convicted of fraud was adjourned until Monday, but his attorney does not think federal prison is in his client’s future.
“We’re anticipating him not being sentenced to federal prison,” Scott D. Geise’s attorney George V. Muscato said. “We believe Scott has been a real asset to the community. He has thousands of patients that think highly of him.”
Geise, 47, of 2535 W. Creek Road, Newfane, is the owner of Newfane Family Dentistry on Main Street. He faced a 57-count indictment after he was accused of making fraudulent claims to three insurance companies between July 7, 2002, and Dec. 12, 2006.
He pleaded guilty to those charges on the third day of trial March 4.
Geise — who was originally scheduled for sentencing Monday morning — is rescheduled for sentencing in Buffalo federal court at 1:30 p.m. next Monday. He faces the possibility of five years in federal prison or a $250,000 fine.
Prosecution said Geise admitted to performing dental procedures, knowing they were not covered by his clients’ insurance companies, then billing either Delta Dental, Blue Cross and Blue Shield or Aetna for the procedure under a different name.
Geise reportedly told his clients a teeth-whitening kit would be covered by insurance, but billed the insurance companies for silver fillings instead of a sealant over his patients’ teeth.
On corporate tax returns from 2003 to 2005, Geise reportedly failed to list more than $188,000 in income and failed to pay $58,254 in taxes.
Muscato said Geise is still practicing dentistry and plans on continuing his practice after sentencing.
“He’s doing it every day, all day,” Muscato said. “He loves what he does and has a great practice.”
