(Source: FBI) - ST. LOUIS, MO—Dunard Morris pled guilty to mail and wire fraud involving his embezzlement of millions of dollars from Metropolitan Urological Specialists.
According to court documents, Dunard Morris was the business manager of Metropolitan Urological Specialists (MUS), a practice group of doctors, from 2006 until last September. He embezzled millions of dollars and concealed the embezzlement through a series of lies, misrepresentations, and deceits to the doctor-shareholders.
Morris repeatedly increased his own base salary from MUS, without authorization or disclosure to shareholders, and also caused MUS to pay him hundreds of thousands of dollars in unauthorized, undisclosed bonuses and reimbursements, along with hundreds of thousands of dollars of meal and entertainment expenses incurred at local restaurants. Morris used MUS monies to purchase hundreds of thousands of dollars of costly assets and services, including high-end jewelry, luxury automobiles, expensive firearms, designer clothing, fine wine, national and international travel, and other items for the benefit of himself and others; and paid $5,400 per month in rent charges for a luxury apartment.
Additionally, Morris told doctors that he was a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps and winner of the Navy Cross medal for extraordinary heroism, among other military honors, when, in fact, he had never been awarded the Navy Cross and had been discharged from the military for misconduct under other than honorable conditions.
Morris, 49, St. Charles, Missouri, pled guilty to three felony counts of mail and wire fraud before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. Sentencing has been set for December 14, 2012.
Mail and wire fraud each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. Additionally, Morris is subject to a forfeiture allegation, which will require the forfeiture to the government all property derived from the illegal activity.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John Sauer is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
