Dr. Tri Minh Do, a former radiologist at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose. (CBS) Dr. Tri Minh Do, a former radiologist at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose. (CBS)

SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) — A former doctor at a South Bay hospital is accused of taking money intended for cancer research to pay his own bills.

According to authorities, 45-year-old Dr. Tri Minh Do has been charged with felony misappropriation of public funds. Do recently resigned from Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose.

Investigators said Do received checks from the American College of Radiology to head a cancer research study. According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, the radiologist pocketed more than $46,000.

Prosecutors said they have evidence Do used the money to pay Verizon cellphone bills, credit card bills to Visa and Chase, along with his parents’ mortgage.

Authorities said the hospital noticed something was wrong when they received unexpected reimbursement checks addressed to Do after he left his job late last year. Reimbursements are normally made to a hospital and not an individual doctor.

The doctor turned himself in to authorities last week. Do is scheduled to be arraigned on September 13th. He faces four years in prison if convicted.

According to the hospital, Do earned $293,000 in base pay last year. He also received a $93,000 lump sum when he cashed out his vacation and sick leave.

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