Bentonville Doctor Facing Embezzlement Charges
by October 31, 2013 4:39 pm 252 views
Dr. Ruben Tejada, a physician previously employed by Northwest Health System of Springdale, has been arrested after an investigation into inappropriate handling of financial responsibilities, according to local CBS affiliate KFSM-TV, Channel 5.
Tejada, 54, of Rogers was booked into the Benton County Jail on Thursday and faces an embezzlement charge of theft of property, a Class B felony, according to a news release from the Bentonville Police Department. He was released without bond on his own recognizance Thursday afternoon.
Tejada is set to be arraigned in Benton County Circuit Court on Dec. 9.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Tejada is accused of keeping cash from self-pay patients and instructing a staff member to keep two sets of books so he wouldn’t get caught. He told employees if they didn’t do what he said that he knew someone in the Mafia, which employees perceived as a threat.
Tejada stole $27,380 from the health system, according to the affidavit.
The health system hired Tejada and his staff on Feb. 1, the affidavit states. He has not worked for the health system since August. His office is at 2805 S.E. Midcities Drive in Bentonville, according to the affidavit.
In a statement Thursday, Northwest Health System said it was “aware that Dr. Tejada has been arrested.”
“He has not worked in our organization since August, and we have cooperated with the authorities in their investigation of this matter. Any additional questions should be referred to the prosecutor’s office,” according to the statement issued by Patricia Driscoll.