QUEENS–A chiropractor with a practice in Woodhaven has been charged with insurance fraud and other charges after allegedly convincing a “patient” to fabricate injuries and then billing an insurance company more than $26,000 for medical treatments over three months.

The defendant then allegedly gave a $1,000 kickback to the “patient,” who was actually an undercover investigator.

Anthony Latona, 50, of 2 Roses Court in Dix Hills, Long Island, who practices at 93-11 91st St. in Woodhaven, Queens, was arraigned Monday night before Queens Criminal Court Judge Toko Serita on charges of third-degree grand larceny, third degree insurance fraud and first-degree falsifying business records.

Latona was released without bail and ordered to return to court on Feb. 10. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.

Prosecutors said an undercover investigator met the defendant at his office on Sept. 16, 2008, at which time the defendant allegedly instructed the undercover to fabricate back and knee injuries for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining insurance payments. It is alleged further that the defendant told the undercover that if the undercover attended sessions at his office regularly he would pay the undercover a $1,000 kickback.

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