Dr. John J. Cauthon, 49, of Murfreesboro, was charged Wednesday in a federal indictment with seven counts of health care fraud, announced David Rivera, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Cauthon is a Podiatrist in Murfreesboro who contracted to provide podiatric services to residents of nursing homes located throughout Tennessee.

According to the indictment, between May 2015 and August 2015, Cauthon engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare, TennCare, and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, by submitting approximately $327,280.24 in fraudulent claims for a surgical procedure for nail avulsions, which he did not perform.

If convicted, Cauthon faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of health care fraud.

This case was investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General and the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James S. Seaman is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.