Milwaukee back surgeon convicted of installing counterfeit parts into patients

 Posted on May 6, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  497 words  |  Abbie Anker
Back surgeon Dr Cully White has been accused of installing counterfeit parts inside of patients

Back surgeon Dr Cully White has been accused of installing counterfeit parts inside of patients

A back surgeon has been accused of installing counterfeit parts inside patients in Milwaukee.

Dr Cully White, 47, allegedly fitted the parts in a number of patients before removing them again in follow-up operations years later.

White, who was convicted of health insurance fraud in 2013 and lost his medical license, allegedly left his patients in agony and some fear the damage done is permanent.

One of his former patients, Linda Haynes, has filed a lawsuit against White, claiming he installed knock-off parts inside her during surgery on her back in 2009, Fox 6 reported.

She also claims White called her in for a further operation in 2013 so he could take out the counterfeit medical devices.

Ms Haynes' attorneys named Spinal Solutions LLC as the California-based company behind the fake parts.

White is alleged to have flown on Spinal Solutions private jet to vacation spots in Mexico and Colorado, the Center for Investigative Reporting reported.

Lawyers for Ms Haynes say these were kickbacks to persuade him to use the counterfeit devices. 

The operations took place at Aurora St Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, according to the lawsuit.

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Another of White's former patients, Mike Matteson, said there could be hundreds of people fitted with bogus parts.

He had rods installed by White removed years ago, but held on to them. 

Roger Williams came to White in 2005 after a spinal injury at work, but now believes the operation was botched

Roger Williams came to White in 2005 after a spinal injury at work, but now believes the operation was botched

The operations took place at Aurora St Luke's Medical Center (pictured) in Milwaukee, according to the lawsuit

The operations took place at Aurora St Luke's Medical Center (pictured) in Milwaukee, according to the lawsuit

'You can clearly see that these are [counterfeit]. Both of the rods are rusting,' he said. 

Roger Williams came to White in 2005 after a spinal injury at work, but now believes the operation was botched.

'I don't think I'll ever be back to normal again,' Mr Williams, who is yet to take any legal action, said.

'Something has to happen to this guy for what he's done to us. 

'He's been caught using machine parts, when he should have been using parts made at a medical place.' 

White was forced to give up his medical license in 2013 as part of a plea deal leading to his conviction for health insurance fraud. He served a six-month jail sentence and spent a further six months under house arrest.

The surgeon had been performing about 600 surgeries a year before he lost his license, which is more than double the average, according to the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. 

Last year, White settled a medical malpractice claim filed against him by a former patient for $2.5million. 

Spinal Solutions LLC could not be reached for comment. 

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