A prominent Montana oncologist is at the center of a federal civil lawsuit accusing him of overprescribing medications and double-billing federal healthcare programs to inflate his income. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the case on Tuesday, alongside a $10.8 million settlement with the hospital where he worked.
Doctor’s Alleged Misconduct Uncovered
Dr. Thomas Weiner, who was employed at St. Peter’s Health until his dismissal in late 2020, is accused of engaging in a range of fraudulent activities over several years. The federal investigation, which spanned four years, alleges that Weiner saw up to 70 patients a day—far more than the average oncologist—while ordering unnecessary treatments, falsifying medical records, and prescribing painkillers without a valid medical need.
The civil lawsuit filed against Weiner on Monday claims that his actions were driven by a desire to increase his personal income, with little regard for patient safety. Weiner has maintained his innocence and is currently embroiled in a separate lawsuit against the hospital for wrongful termination.
Federal Investigation and Hospital Settlement
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that St. Peter’s Health reported the fraudulent claims and cooperated with federal investigators. However, the hospital also faced scrutiny for paying Weiner a salary based on the false claims and referrals he made to its Cancer Treatment Center. The settlement, which will be paid from the hospital’s reserves, highlights the seriousness of the compliance failures.
“St. Peter’s is ultimately responsible for maintaining compliance with federal law,” said St. Peter’s Health CEO Wade Johnson. He emphasized that the hospital has since strengthened its compliance systems to prevent future violations.
Allegations of Dangerous Medical Practices
The lawsuit also paints a disturbing picture of Dr. Weiner’s medical practices. It alleges that he prescribed medications to non-cancer patients, ordered unnecessary tests, and administered non-standard chemotherapy treatments that may have caused harm. In one case, a patient was reportedly treated for cancer for 11 years due to Weiner’s misdiagnosis.
Additionally, Weiner is accused of scheduling multiple patients within 15-minute intervals, spending just a few minutes with each, and manipulating medical records to justify inflated billing. Federal prosecutors are seeking triple damages and civil penalties for each false claim submitted by Weiner.
Legal Battle Continues
Dr. Weiner’s attorney, Deanne McClung, has dismissed the allegations as unfounded, attributing the proceedings to ongoing employment litigation with the hospital. “We are confident that when the evidence is presented, Dr. Weiner will be exonerated,” she said in a statement.
The lawsuit seeks not only financial penalties but also a five-year ban on Dr. Weiner prescribing controlled substances. Despite the gravity of the accusations, federal prosecutors have not yet pursued criminal charges against Weiner, and his medical license remains active.
