Former VA Psychiatrist Stephen L. Greer Sentenced to 21 Mos. Prison

October 29, 2018

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Stephen Lester Greer, age 58, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment and three years supervised release for Tampering With A Witness, Victim, Or Informant, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1512(b)(3). The charge arose from an investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General.

The Indictment alleged that from in or about June 29, 2016, and continuing until in or about July 7, 2016, Stephen Lester Greer, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, did knowingly intimidate, threaten, or corruptly persuade Patient A, or attempted to do so, and engaged in misleading conduct toward Patient A, with intent to hinder, delay, or prevent the communication to federal law enforcement officers by Patient A of information relating to the commission or possible commission of a Federal offense.

In June 2016, an employee of the Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center recognized Stephen Lester Greer and Patient A checking into the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  Stephen Lester Greer was a staff psychiatrist for the Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center from March 2013 until July 2016.   During the subsequent investigation, Special Agents with the Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General interviewed Greer and admonished him to have no further contact with this patient.   Instead, Greer met with his patient and instructed her to lie to federal law enforcement officers about their sexual relationship, the financial assistance Greer provided to her, the paternity of the patient’s unborn baby and the hotel rooms they both shared.  Greer also advised the patient that they both needed to destroy their cellphones to prevent law enforcement officers from reading their text message communications.  

The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the sentencing hearing and ruled that Stephen Lester Greer’s sentencing range should be adjusted upward because Patient A was a “vulnerable victim.”  Patient A was a US Army veteran who had suffered a brain injury that resulted in seizures and other serious mental health problems.  Judge White further ruled that Steven Lester Greer abused his position of trust as  the psychiatrist that treated Patient A, prescribed her medication, maintained a sexual relationship with Patient A and then attempted to persuade her to lie to federal investigators. 

In 2004 and 2005, the Oklahoma Medical Board of Licensure and Supervision investigated Greer for inappropriate conduct with a female patient.  In January 2005, Greer was suspended from the practice of medicine for inappropriate contact with a female patient while also prescribing drugs to that patient.  In June 2006, the Oklahoma Medical Board of Licensure and Supervision reinstated his medical license. 

United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “Veterans defend and protect America every day through their service.  In return for this service, America has pledged to care for returning veterans with medical treatment, educational benefits and other assistance.  Dr. Greer completely shattered and disregarded the obligations that Americans have to disabled veterans by abusing his position at the VA Hospital in Muskogee, Oklahoma by having an inappropriate relationship with a female patient that he was treating.  The Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General did an excellent job in working with the U. S. Attorney’s Office in this investigation.  Any VA employee that commits federal criminal conduct will be held accountable for their crimes.  Judge White’s imprisonment of Dr. Greer reflects the commitment of the Department of Justice in protecting our veterans.  Veterans honor America through their service.  All Americans owe them only the best.”

The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. First Assistant United States Attorney Douglas Horn and Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Harrington represented the United States. The defendant will remain on bond and must report to the designated federal facility on November 26, 2018 where the non-paroleable sentence will be served.

Source: “Tulsa Man Sentenced To 21 Months For Tampering With Witness,” press release of Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, October 25, 2018.