Retired dentist Dr. Kenneth Webber, 71, who lives in Claremont, was arrested at his residence by California Department of Insurance detectives on five felony counts of insurance fraud for allegedly submitting fraudulent claims to patients’ insurance carriers for services never provided.

In February 2013, Webber sold his practice to another dentist, who began performing dental work on patients and billing insurance providers. The insurer rejected a number of claims because, according to their records, the work had already been performed, billed, and paid under Webber’s practice.

Upon receiving information of suspected fraud, the Department of Insurance launched an investigation. Department detectives uncovered evidence that Webber falsified claim forms and treating documents, billing insurers for patient procedures and dental work that had not been performed. Evidence revealed 60 percent of the patient records reviewed had fraudulent billing associated with their files.

Bail is set at $125,000. Webber faces up to 10 years in prison, if convicted on all counts. This case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

“Health insurance fraud is a national criminal epidemic totaling billions of dollars annually,” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “As a trusted healthcare provider, Webber’s alleged fraud is deplorable. We all pay for these crimes when insurers pass the losses along through higher premiums.”