Arizona Orthodontist Dr. Andrew L. Kassman and spouse indicted for embezzlement

Wendy Askins, Prosperident's longest-serving Supervising Fraud Examiner, performed the investigation that resulted in federal embezzlement-related charges against an orthodontist and his spouse.

A federal grand jury in Tucson returned a seven-count indictment last week against Dr. Andrew L. Kassman and his wife, Laurie Ann Kassman, of Tucson, for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud.

Dr. Kassman was the former owner of a Tucson orthodontics practice. After selling the practice, Dr. Kassman and his wife continued as employees for the new owner. Dr. Kassman worked as an orthodontist, and Dr. Kassman’s wife continued as the office manager. The indictment alleges that, after the sale, Dr. Kassman kept his business bank account open. The Kassmans then engaged in an embezzlement scheme in which they diverted funds that belonged to the practice without the new owner’s knowledge or consent. To conceal the scheme, Laurie Kassman manipulated financial records in the practice’s record-keeping system. The Kassmans embezzled at least $73,000.

A conviction for either charge - Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud or Wire Fraud - carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The United States Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.

Prosperident sees cases of "fratricide" where the suspect is a dentist more often than you might think.  If you have concerns about an employee or a fellow dentist, please click the button below.

Content retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr/tucson-orthodontist-and-his-spouse-charged-engaging-scheme-embezzle-dental-practice