Former pediatric dentist claims ex-wife handled business finances

DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — A former pediatric dentist, who is accused of hurting children and is under investigation for Medicaid fraud, said his now ex-wife handled the finances for his decades-old business.

Action News was the first to report that a criminal investigation into Dr. Howard Schneider was underway. The state reports that the pediatric dentist received more than $4 million in Medicaid payments since 2010.

Action News attempted to speak with Schneider at his Riverside home Tuesday about the divorce agreement between him and his wife of 15 years, Deborah Schneider. Their divorce was finalized on June 4, less than three weeks after Deborah Schneider accused him of blocking her from their accounts and dissipating the funds.

In a counter-petition also filed last week, the doctor makes a different claim. He says Deborah Schneider “managed all of the financial affairs of the dental practice” and without his knowledge or consent, she set up her own trust containing more than $2,057,086.38.

He accuses her of establishing four other accounts including an IRA containing $40,154.52, a "Simple IRA" containing $147,902.47, and two accounts in the names of her granddaughters from her former husband containing $11,447.50 and $16,505.75.

Howard Schneider now demands that Deborah Schneider, an interior decorator in Charleston, South Carolina, pay him alimony.

On Tuesday, in the driveway of the home they shared for years, was a car that family members tell Action News belongs to Deborah Schneider.

For minutes, Schneider sat motionless with his back to the door as Action News attempted to speak with him. He later turned and declined to open the door. A woman was also seen inside, but did not come to the door.

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Schneider's family told Action News they are worried. They did not go on camera Tuesday at the advice of their attorney, but said his health and memory are failing, and he has at times not known his divorce was finalized or that his business is closed. They claim his bank accounts are near empty, and that Deborah Schneider has isolated him from his children in recent days.

His family said investigators from the state's Medicaid fraud unit were at the Southside office in recent days and questioned his staff. Some office staff remain to assist former patients with record requests. They say investigators questioned that staff on both Howard and Deborah Schneider’s involvement in the billing practices that took place.

Action News asked the Attorney General's Office if they are both now being investigated, but we were told it would not be appropriate for the office to comment further at this time.

Deborah Schneider's divorce attorney, David Garfinkel, told Action News that he intends to file a response to the doctor's claims in a timely manner but would not elaborate on the details of that response.

We also reached out to the State Attorney’s office. Their spokesperson confirmed their investigation is also ongoing.

WJAX