California Podiatrist Charged in $174K Fraud

Jan. 24--A former Tustin podiatrist was charged with seven felony counts of insurance fraud for allegedly billing for several patients for medial services that were never performed, authorities said onTuesday.

Renae Louise Witt, 47, is awaiting extradition from Oregon to Orange County to face charges, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

If convicted, she faces up to 16 years in prison, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Witt was a podiatrist practicing in Tustin, where she is accused of submitting fraudulent billing for services not rendered on six patients from 2015 to 2017.

Prosecutors said she billed Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Cross/Blue Shield a total of $174,395 for various medical services she never performed.

Witt moved to Oregon and was arrested after Anthem Blue Cross contacted the Orange County District Attorney's Office to report potentially fraudulent billing.

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