A GP accused of stealing thousands of pounds from
A GP accused of stealing thousands of pounds from his local health authority appeared in court today (FRI).
Michael Hodge, 47, pretended his wife worked at his surgery in Ilford, east London and claimed a wage for her for four years, it is claimed.
The doctor is also accused of feigning sickness and getting locums to cover his shifts while he carried out lucrative private work.
Hodge, wearing a smart suit and spectacles, spoke only to confirm his name at the brief hearing to fix a trial date.
He pleaded not guilty on a previous occasion to 26 charges of false accounting between March 2000 and December 2001.
He also pleaded not guilty to a further charge of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception from April 1998 to June 2002.
Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith set the trial date for June 14.
Hodge, of Clarence Gate, Manor Road, Woodford Green, Essex, was released on bail.
The trial is expected to last six weeks.
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