Chiropractor faces $177,000 fraud case

Affidavit says Lewisville doctor didn't treat 46 patients as he claimed

08:52 PM CDT on Thursday, April 15, 2004

By LESLEY TÉLLEZ / The Dallas Morning News

A Lewisville chiropractor arrested on charges of insurance fraud last week submitted more than 46 claims worth more than $177,000 to insurance companies for services that weren't performed, according to a probable-cause affidavit obtained this week.

The affidavit, drawn up by Lewisville police, states that Robert DaSilva of Corinth, 34, submitted the false claims to several insurance companies in the Texas Municipal League's Intergovernmental Employee Benefits pool. The claims were submitted sometime between August 2000 and August 2003, the affidavit states.

Dr. DaSilva is a chiropractor at Pain and Injury Center at 363 W. Main St. He did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Police started investigating the case in October, when two men – one current and one former employee of Lewisville – contacted the city's Human Resources Department and said they believed the doctor was filing fraudulent claims.

One man said he'd received multiple insurance statements indicating that his daughter had received treatments from Dr. DaSilva, when she had not, the affidavit says.

Lewisville police eventually confirmed that 46 patients had one or more claims submitted for services that were not performed, such as consultation and therapy. Several patients also were billed for medical supplies that were never received, including electrodes, a neuromuscular stimulator electronic shock unit and a nerve stimulation unit, the affidavit says.

Police arrested Dr. DaSilva at his office April 8. He was released from Denton County Jail the same day after posting a $25,000 bond.

Dr. DaSilva graduated from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas and was licensed by Texas in 1997, according to state records. He has not received any disciplinary action, the records indicate.

Dr. DaSilva is also an alumnus of Leadership Flower Mound, a program sponsored by the town's Chamber of Commerce aimed at motivating emerging leaders in the community.

Lewisville police said the investigation is continuing.