New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Windsor Dennis, 78, received $80,019 in workers' comp payments for treating injured postal employees back in the summer of 2006. One small problem: The floods of Hurricane Katrina closed his office during the time he claims he treated patients.

Dr. Dennis pled guilty in federal court yesterday to one count of healthcare fraud. He has agreed to pay $750,000 in restitution to the U. S. Department of Labor. Dr. Dennis faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years, a fine of $250,000 and 3 years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 26.

The case against Dr. Dennis was airtight, according to the indictment. His former office manager says that Hurricane Katrina closed Dr. Dennis's office until July 16, 2006, and that any claims for services rendered before that date would not be correct. The patients for whom claims were submitted would testify as to the falsity of those claims.

Dan O'Connor