In December 2017, a federal grand jury indicted spine surgeon Cathleen Van Buskirk, MD, for bankruptcy scheme allegations. Daily Camera Boulder News reports she is scheduled for a federal court trial in May.
Here are five key points.
1. Beginning May 14, the trial will span one week in the U.S. District Court in Denver.
2. Dr. Van Buskirk is accused of "bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets, fraudulent transfer and concealment, and money laundering," according to the Daily Camera Boulder News report. While currently free on $150,000 bond, she is facing up to 20 years in prison for two counts of money laundering and up to five years each for all other charges.
3. Dr. Van Buskirk filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in August 2014, but federal prosecutors claim she tried to defraud her creditors. The indictment report claims the she didn't report $46,000 and 200 U.S. silver dollars, foreign currency, gold coins and a diamond ring. The report also alleges Dr. Van Buskirk transferred $170,000 to companies controlled by others.
4. Dr. Van Buskirk treats patients at Alpine Spine Center in Boulder, Colo., but the website says, "Alpine Spine Center is temporality closed due to medical leave."
5. She completed her spine surgery fellowship at Philadelphia-based Thomas Jefferson University.