Missouri Rep. Patricia Derges convicted of multiple counts of health care fraud

Derges, an assistant physician, was elected in November 2020 to represent Christian County. Missouri law requires her to forfeit her office once she is sentenced.
A federal jury on Tuesday found Missouri Rep. Patricia Derges guilty of multiple counts of health care fraud, including defrauding Greene County of federal money and marketing bogus stem cell treatments.

Following a 10-day trial, the jury convicted Derges, a Nixa Republican, of all 22 counts with which she was charged.

Missouri law requires her to forfeit her office once she is sentenced. Trevor Fox, a spokesman for the Missouri House’s Office of the Chief Clerk, said the House would be required to enforce that provision if Derges does not voluntarily step down.