FRANK STEPEC

When a patient had one appointment with Toronto optometrist Frank Stepec, he billed OHIP twice. Stepec did that with 32 patients, according to court documents. For another 25 patients, Stepec billed OHIP for multiple minor assessments that were not provided.

In total, Stepec improperly billed OHIP about $30,000 between Jan. 2007 and Nov. 2009.

He pleaded guilty in criminal court to two counts of fraud under $5,000, was given three months house arrest, and nine months probation. He was also ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to OHIP, which he did. Two of his employees were also charged in relation to the fraud, but those charges were dropped.

Stepec’s lawyer, Richard Shekter, told court Stepec came to him for help in making restitution to OHIP three months prior to his client’s arrest. Shekter said his client’s behaviour was “completely out of character” and that Stepec was “truly remorseful.”

Discipline: The College of Optometrists of Ontario issued Stepec a twomonth suspension; reprimand; $7,500 in costs.

Response: In an interview with the Star outside his Etobicoke office, Stepec said he proactively took steps to pay the money back because he “just had enough.”

Stepec stressed that he did not bill for patients he did not see. “I saw everybody. It’s just that I would bill later on.”

“I’m a big enough guy to say yeah, that’s what I did. You know what I mean? Let’s go through the system, let’s get it done and all the rest. Obviously the college gets involved because it’s a criminal case,” he said.