CLARKSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A former chief operating officer of a Morgantown medical practice has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for his role in a major bank fraud scheme, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Francisco Ortiz, 50, of Vacaville, California, was sentenced for defrauding Wedgewood Physicians, Inc. out of more than $650,000, using the funds to pay for personal travel, home improvements, and online purchases.
Court records also show that Ortiz funneled a portion of the stolen money to co-defendant James Mersing, a former physician with the practice. Mersing pled guilty and was sentenced in October 2024.
In addition to his prison term, Ortiz was ordered to pay $692,176.19 in restitution and will serve five years of supervised release following incarceration.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar. Sentencing was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh.
