A Missouri spine surgeon and a Kansas medical device distributor were sentenced for their roles in a kickback scheme involving spinal implants sold by SpineFrontier.
Jason Montone, DO, of Lawson, Mo., was sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $379,000 in payments he received through a sham consulting arrangement with the medical device company, according to an Oct. 22 Justice Department release.
John Balzer of Lenexa, Kan., who distributed SpineFrontier products, was sentenced in August 2026 to one year of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $947,500 in commissions tied to the surgeon’s use of the company’s implants. Both men pleaded guilty in 2020 and cooperated with federal investigators.
Between late 2012 and October 2015, SpineFrontier paid Dr. Montone $500 to $750 per hour for purported consulting services intended to influence his use of its products. Investigators found he performed only a fraction of the reported work. The company also agreed to pay him 10% of revenue from surgeries using its implants and Mr. Balzer a 25% commission on related sales.
Two SpineFrontier executives were also sentenced in related cases. CEO Kingsley Chin received one year of supervised release in August 2025 for making false statements to CMS. CFO Aditya Humad was sentenced to four months in prison in August 2026 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute.
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