A Marlinton physician has been convicted on 29 counts of health care fraud for billing insurers for services he never performed.

A U.S. District Court jury in Elkins convicted Dr. John C. Sharp on Thursday following an 11-day trial.

U.S. Attorney Sharon Potter says Sharp carried out the scheme from May 1998 through January 2006. The doctor of osteopathic medicine also misrepresented the types of office visit services rendered, causing the insurers to pay a higher rate of reimbursement.

Potter says Sharp continued the fraudulent billings even though he was notified that his billing practices were improper. During the period he was reimbursed more than $542,000.

Sharp faces up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 on each count when sentenced.