JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The latest competency report in the case against Jacksonville dentist Dr. Howard Schneider, 79, hasn't been completed yet.
The revelations were made by Schneider's attorney during a brief hearing Monday morning.
Schneider is facing 11 counts of Medicaid fraud and one count of scheme to defraud. Investigators said he defrauded taxpayers by seeking Medicaid reimbursement to treat low income patients for services he never performed. He was forced to close his practice in May 2015 after several parents complained of deceptive and dangerous dental work being done at his office on University Boulevard.
In April, Schneider's attorney filed a motion asking the judge to declare him incompetent to stand trial, citing 'mental deficits and lack of memory'.
So far, two doctors have completed evaluations for Schneider. At a hearing in May, the defense revealed both doctors have concerns he might suffer from dementia or something similar. The judge ordered a third doctor to evaluate Schneider and present his findings to the court.
Monday, Schneider's attorney said the latest doctor has yet to perform an MRI or obtain the necessary blood work from the doctor in order to finalize his report. Schneider's attorney also said there are questions over who will pay for the services. The judge said she was going to look into the matter and continued the case until August 15.
Attorney John Phillips is representing more than 120 child victims in civil cases against the doctor. He attended Monday's hearing to get an update on the criminal case.
"The incompetencies that they are citing now are things that Dr. Schneider has exhibited for years, if not decades. You shouldn't be able to use incompetency as a shield now when you weren't able to use it as a shield while you were treating these children."
Phillips said he's been able to settle 104 of his civil cases amicably.
As for Schneider, he is currently living in St. Simons, GA.
Court records show his home in Jacksonville is in foreclosure.
