BREWSTER, Wash. – A physician from Brewster, has pleaded guilty to charges of adulterating and misbranding medical devices with the intent to defraud or mislead, according to the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Washington.
The plea was entered on Dec. 17, in the Eastern District of Washington. Dr. Eric Edward Haeger, 57, was involved in a scheme from July 2021 to July 2023, where he purchased over 500 recalled CPAP and BiPAP devices. These devices, initially recalled by Philips Respironics in June 2021, were identified as potential health risks.
Court documents said that Dr. Haeger and others dismantled the devices to remove hazardous foam, using tools like screwdrivers and hooks. This was done in non-sterile environments, not suited for medical device manufacturing.
The altered devices were then provided to Washington State Medicaid patients, falsely billed as new and functional. The investigation is being conducted by several federal and state agencies, including the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations and the FBI.
Dr. Haeger’s sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2026.
