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Investigations

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Pennsylvania Doctor Convicted and Sentenced for Falsifying DOT Medical Examinations

On June 5, 2019, Dr. Michael A. McCormick, a former DOT-certified medical examiner, was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to 3 years’ probation, a $1,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. He pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements in connection with a DOT medical examination. Specifically, he admitted to making a false writing or document and aiding and abetting others in the making of a false writing or a document that contained a materially false statement.
 
The investigation revealed that in April 2017 McCormick told staff at his business, Express Med Urgent Care, to conduct a DOT physical examination on a patient seeking to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV). The staff members, who were not certified medical examiners, completed a DOT medical examination report and issued a DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate under McCormick’s name and his National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) number. McCormick knew the certificate and report were false because he did not perform the examination.
 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require drivers engaged in interstate commerce to be physically able to safely operate a CMV. Only FMCSA-registered medical examiners can perform medical exams and issue DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificates. After the investigation, FMCSA removed McCormick from the NRCME program and voided 223 active Medical Examiner Certificates held by commercial drivers.
 
DOT-OIG conducted this investigation with FMCSA’s assistance.