Former Belmont County coroner Troy Balgo, who is running for the office again with no party affiliation, pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud on Sept. 18.

Balgo, a doctor of osteopathy, was the owner and operator of Belmont Urgent Care Center’s walk-in clinic in St. Clairsville. Having been arrested in 2019 as part of a federal drug investigation, Balgo was charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with one count of healthcare fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, six counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances, and one count of conspiracy to commit the unlawful distribution of controlled substances.

Balgo allegedly caused and/or conspired to cause submissions for healthcare services that were not performed. The allegations also state that Balgo prescribed controlled substances while he was out of the state or out of the country.

Balgo’s business was raided along with 12 pain medication providers by the Appalachian Region Prescription Opioid Task Force as part of a larger operation to intervene in the alleged illegal distribution of more than 23 million pills.

Along with Balgo, local doctors Freeda Flynn of St. Clairsville and Thomas Romano of Wheeling were also arrested.

Balgo’s original trial was set for Oct. 10, 2023, but it was delayed until Jan. 22, 2024, and then again until Oct 7, 2024.

Court records indicate, however, that Balgo pleaded guilty to health care fraud on Sept. 18 as part of a plea agreement. Although he has not yet been sentenced, based on federal sentencing guidelines that carry mandatory minimums, it is unlikely that Balgo would be able to fulfill the responsibilities of the office if he were elected.

Belmont County residents had a chance to meet some of the local candidates who will appear on the ballot Nov. 5 during an event at the Belmont County District Library on Thursday. Balgo did not appear to address the crowd, despite the fact that the coroner’s office features the only contested county race.

Amanda Fisher, a Republican, became coroner in 2020 and is being challenged by Balgo.