Colorado spine surgeon’s trial gets pushed back over plea deal consideration: 5 insights

After being indicted Dec. 4, 2017, for bankruptcy fraud, a district court judge set Cathleen Van Burskirk’s, MD, trial for May, the Daily Camera reports.

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Here are five insights.

1. Although the trial was supposed to start May 14, Dr. Bruskirk’s attorneys asked the judge to postpone the trial due to plea deal discussions.

2. The judge accepted the motion to push back the trial date, and although a plea deal is likely to be reached, the judge rescheduled the trial for Aug. 20.

3. Dr. Bruskirk is charged with bankruptcy fraud, concealment of bankruptcy assets, fraudulent transfer and concealment as well as money laundering. If convicted, she faces the possibility of 20 years in prison for her two counts of money laundering. Her other charges carry five years in prison each.

4. Prosecutors allege Dr. Bruskirk failed to report $46,000 in assets as well as 200 U.S. silver dollars, foreign currency, gold coins and a diamond ring when filing for bankruptcy. They also allege she transferred $170,000 to several companies that prosecutors believe she runs despite being registered to her sister or employees.

5. Dr. Bruskirk is currently out on a $150,000 bond.

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