Five individuals, including two Brisbane-based surgeons and a medical device company director, have been charged following an investigation into an alleged medical device kickback scheme in Queensland. The investigation, codenamed 'Barzona', was conducted by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) in collaboration with the Queensland Office of the Health Ombudsman. Allegations center on undisclosed payments made by a medical device company to public officers for the use of their products in public hospitals, and the failure to declare conflicts of interest.
Investigation Details
The investigation focused on the use of surgical devices at Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. The medical device company involved is understood to have supplied items such as screws, rods, and surgical implants. Alleged offenses connected to the scheme are reported to have occurred between 2016 and 2019. The CCC previously stated that four individuals had been charged, with a fifth arrest warrant issued.
Individuals Charged and Allegations
Dr. Richard William Laherty
A 53-year-old Brisbane-based neurosurgeon specializing in spinal surgery and a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland's medical school, Dr. Laherty faces charges including official corruption, misconduct in public office, and offenses related to misleading financial documents.
Allegations against Dr. Laherty include:
- Receiving payments from MediVance, a medical device company, for using its devices during operations.
- Being a part-owner of MediVance and allegedly failing to declare this conflict of interest to Queensland Health.
- Allegedly providing false statements to health investigators, claiming payments were for camera equipment.
- Allegedly omitting that Rika Investments, a company where he was a director, received a 20% margin from products he implanted from MediVance.
Dr. Dihan Taranga Aponso
A surgeon, Dr. Aponso is charged with corruption and misconduct in public office.
Allegations against Dr. Aponso include:
- Receiving payments from MediVance for using its devices at both public hospitals.
- Allegedly failing to declare these payments.
- Accusations of gaining benefits for Qld Spine Research Foundation and DPTM Qld Pty Ltd.
Elliott Charles Lacaze
Identified as a director of MediVance, Mr. Lacaze faces charges including attempted fraud, dishonestly gaining benefit as a director of a corporation, and giving benefit to a public officer.
Allegations against Mr. Lacaze include:
- Dishonestly gaining business for himself and two other individuals to the value of approximately $1.7 million.
- Additional alleged fraud offenses totaling over $1 million.
Court Proceedings
Dr. Laherty, Dr. Aponso, and Mr. Lacaze have appeared in court in connection with the investigation. All three declined to comment outside court. Their cases are scheduled to return to court on February 16. Health Minister Tim Nicholls has indicated that actions have been taken to address the alleged incidents.
Related Information
Dr. Laherty's name was previously mentioned in a Brisbane Magistrates Court sentencing in April of last year. Neurosurgeon Alex Koefman pleaded guilty in December 2023 to disclosing confidential information to Dr. Laherty. The court heard at the time that the CCC was investigating an alleged kickback scheme and Dr. Laherty was a target. Dr. Koefman, who was not accused of involvement in the scheme and has not been charged in the current matters, was fined $2,500 for breaching confidentiality.