Man admits to paying hospital employees to steal patient data

A Central Florida man associated with medical centers and an injury hotline admitted in federal court that he paid Florida Hospital employees to steal patient information.

Federal authorities say Sergei Kusyakov, who was involved with Metro Chiropractic and Wellness Center and City Lights Medical Center, illegally obtained private information about patients through Dale Munroe II and his wife, Katrina Munroe, who worked at Florida Hospital's Celebration campus.

Authorities said Dale Munroe accessed more than 763,000 records for patients treated at various Florida Hospital locations. He focused on patients who were in automobile accidents, and inappropriately reviewed in detail more than 12,000 patient records. Prosecutors said that from 2009 until July 2011, Munroe accessed patient data while working as a registration representative in the emergency department.

Kusyakov paid Munroe for the patient information, and then Kusyakov and other conspirators used the information to solicit patients for lawyers and chiropractors.

Some patients received a phone call within days after their visit to a Florida Hospital campus, prosecutors said. The caller knew specifics about the vehicle accident and the patients' treatment at the hospital. If the patient asked the caller how they received their personal information, the solicitor either hung up, or tried to give an excuse that the information was public record.

Prosecutors said one of the phone numbers used by one of the solicitors was linked to Kusyakov. Investigators found Kusyakov paid Munroe and his wife more than $10,000 for their work.

Dale and Katrina Munroe each pleaded guilty to federal charges and are awaiting sentencing. Visit the Orlando Sentinel for the article.

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