Philadelphia Doctor Convicted In Scheme To Defraud Social Security

Philadelphia - A jury yesterday convicted Dr. Frederick Douglas Burton, 68 of Conshohocken of two counts of mail fraud and attempted mail fraud for lying to help a friend apply for social security disability benefits.

In 2013, Dr. Burton signed two letters which falsely stated that his friend, another doctor named Dennis Erik Fluck Von Kiel, was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and could not work as a result.  The letters falsely stated that Dr. Burton had been treating Dr. Von Kiel for PTSD for seven years, and that Dr. Von Kiel's condition had recently worsened to the point where he could no longer work and would not be able to work for at least the next twelve months.  Dr. Burton was charged with mailing the letters to lawyers who specialized in bringing claims for social security disability benefits.

Dr. Von Kiel had previously pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including the same two mail fraud and attempted mail fraud charges for which the jury convicted Dr. Burton. Dr. Von Kiel is serving a 41-month sentence.

Sentencing of Dr. Burton is scheduled for December 5, 2016.

The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigations and the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Dubnoff.