Spinal Surgeon Sentenced to 30 Months in Kickback Case

A Southern California surgeon who received at least $5 million in kickbacks for performing hundreds of spinal fusions at Pacific Hospital of Long Beach was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. Dr. Daniel Capen, 70, was sentenced Friday. He was also ordered to forfeit $5 million in criminal proceeds and pay a $500,000 fine. Capen, an orthopedic surgeon in Manhattan Beach, pleaded guilty in August 2018 to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and one count of soliciting and receiving kickbacks for health care referrals. Capen ...