Mesquite surgeon admits health care fraud

Dallas (WBAP/KLIF) – One of the co-founders of the Forest Park Medical Center is pleading guilty to fraud charges. Dr. Wade Barker, a bariatric surgeon in Mesquite has filed the legal papers agreeing to plead guilty to conspiracy to pay and receive health care bribes and kickbacks in the operation of the now bankrupt hospital. He is the 7th of 21 defendants to plead guilty, but the first of several accused surgeons to admit complicity. Dr. Barker will likely be sentenced to 5 to 6 years in prison.