Texas anesthesiologist who billed when off work is convicted of defrauding insurers

A prominent anesthesiologist faces as long as 10 years in prison after being convicted of seven counts of fraud in a Dallas federal court.

Richard Toussaint, the wealthy cofounder of a bankrupt Texas luxury hospital chain, was found guilty of submitting fraudulent bills worth roughly $10m (£7m; €9m) to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Cigna, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

Toussaint billed, the court found, as if he had been present for procedures that took place when he was at another hospital, while asleep in bed, while in …