Portland, Ore. - Johnathan Rogers, 26, of Portland was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown to serve one year and one day in federal prison for making a false statement relating to a health care matter. He was also ordered to pay restitution of over $64,000 to more than 300 victims, including doctors and eye clinics, insurance companies and patients.
The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Albany Police Department, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Department and other local law enforcement authorities into Rogers fraudulent practice of optometry in Oregon and elsewhere. Rogers has never graduated from any accredited school of optometry or been licensed as an optometrist. During 2007 he posed as an optometrist, lied about his qualifications and treated patients at seven clinics in Oregon and with a charity in Namibia. In June, 2007 the Oregon State Board of Optometry discovered Roger’s scheme and ordered him stop his fraudulent practice. Despite the order, Rogers continued to treat patients and misrepresent his qualifications at clinics in Oregon and Namibia.
During the sentencing hearing Judge Brown noted her belief that a prison sentence was appropriate because of Rogers’ defiance of the administrative order and the serious impact of his fraudulent practice on innocent Oregon citizens whose eye health was put at risk.
Questions may be directed to Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Caldwell, who is handled the prosecution, at (503) 727-1000.
