Chiropractor Indicted for Falsifying Medical Examination Records for Commercial Drivers

ATLANTA – Dr. Anthony Lefteris, 71, of Atlanta, was indicted today by a federal grand jury, on charges that he prepared false documents and entered false information into the records of the U.S. Department of Transportation so that commercial truck drivers could obtain their licenses.  Lefteris will be arraigned at a later date.

“It is critical that commercial vehicle drivers are physically fit to handle the rigors of driving commercial vehicles, such as tractor trailer trucks,” said U. S. Attorney John Horn.  “When a medical examiner fails to perform the duties entrusted to them or falsifies information, our roads and highways are less safe, putting all drivers at risk.”  

“Today’s indictment of Dr. Anthony Lefteris demonstrates the commitment of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General to pursuing fraudulent activities by medical professionals in the motor carrier industry who are willing to compromise the safety of the traveling public for personal gain,” said Marlies Gonzalez, regional Special Agent-in-Charge for the USDOT OIG. “Working with our departmental, law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will continue to pursue and detect fraudulent schemes and bring to justice those seeking to compromise the integrity of DOT’s safety programs.”

According to United States Attorney Horn, the indictment, and other information presented in court:  The U.S. Department of Transportation requires that individuals seeking to obtain or renew a state issued commercial driver’s license (CDL) must submit to a medical examination performed by a medical examiner and be medically certified as physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle.  These medical examinations ensure that drivers do not suffer from a medical condition that would otherwise impact their ability to drive a commercial vehicle safely.  Commercial drivers present the U.S. DOT Medical Certificate to their State Driver’s Licensing Agency to document their physical fitness to obtain a CDL.  

Lefteris, a U.S. DOT Medical Examiner, allegedly failed to perform certain procedures during medical examinations that aid in determining a driver's physical fitness to drive a commercial vehicle, including vision examinations, hearing examinations, and urinalyses.  Despite his failure to perform all required procedures, Lefteris allegedly falsified Medical Examination Forms, documenting test results for procedures he never performed.  As part of the scheme, he also issued U.S. DOT Medical Examiner's Certificates to drivers even though he did not did not conduct a complete medical examination.  Lefteris subsequently transmitted his results to the U.S. DOT and certified that he performed the medical examinations in accordance with federal regulations. 

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges.  The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Assistant United States Attorney Tracia M. King is prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.