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MURRAY — A Highland chiropractor who practices in Murray is facing felony charges accusing him of exploiting a disabled woman into signing a $6,000 care contract.
John O. Meadors, 49, of Utah Spine and Disc, Inc., was charged in 3rd District Court Monday with exploitation of a vulnerable adult, a second-degree felony. Prosecutors say he had a disabled woman apply for a $6,000 credit line to pay for her treatment without the knowledge of her guardian.
The charges state that the woman involved was found by a doctor to be suffering from "mild mental retardation," is unable to manage her finances and personal care without help, and can't make "age-appropriate decisions regarding health/medical and legal issues."
The woman was suffering from "severe headaches," prompting her guardian to schedule an appointment with Meadors, according to the charges. She saw the man in a TV advertisement, where he offered two free visits.
The woman and her guardian met with Meadors and he said he could cure the woman of the headaches and the guardian proceeded to talk with him while the disabled woman filled out paperwork, the charges state. About a week later, the pair went to Meadors for an appointment.
Meantime, the guardian was unaware that the disabled woman had filled out a credit application with CreditCare, a service of GE Money Bank, and had been approved for a $6,000 credit line. The woman had also been given, and signed, a contract for 20 visits with Meadors. The visits totaled $5,250.
The guardian never saw the credit application or the visits contract.
The woman underwent three treatments, which made her "very sick" and she did not return to Meadors for treatment a fourth time, according to prosecutors. But Meadors was paid $5,250 by CreditCare, including the cost of the first two visits, which had been advertised as free, and all of the additional visits which never took place, the charges state.
"Meadors has not refunded this money to CreditCare although (the woman) did not receive service from Meadors," the charging documents state. "And despite notification that (the woman) is a vulnerable adult and the contract was fraudulent, GE Money Bank is currently seeking collection from (the woman) for an amount in excess of $6,000."
A call for comment to Meadors' office at 141 E. 5600 South was not returned Tuesday.
Court records show that a $10,000 warrant was issued for Meadors' arrest Monday.
Email:emorgan@ksl.com
