WSBT received this package, with Dr. Philip Gabriele's return address, containing court documents and a letter, on Tuesday June 16, 2009. (WSBT photo)
Story Created:
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM EST
Story Updated:
Jun 16, 2009 at 6:20 PM EST
MISHAWAKA — WSBT received a package Tuesday morning that appears to have been mailed from the home of Dr. Philip and Marcella Gabriele prior to their deaths.
In it are dozens of pages of court documents, allegedly from their discussions with their lawyer regarding the federal case against them for Medicare-Medicaid fraud, and a suicide letter.
While there is no way to confirm it is in fact from the Gabrieles, their signatures on the bottom of one page are similar to their signatures on another medical form obtained by WSBT.
The papers arrived addressed to our general manager. Though there is no indication when the package was actually mailed, it was run through a private postage meter on June 1 — two weeks before they were indicted by a federal grand jury on federal fraud charges.
They were accused of performing unnecessary surgeries, altering patient charts, and falsely billing Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies.
They were found dead Monday in their Elkhart eye clinic. Marcella died of multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, according to the coroner. Her death has been ruled a homicide. Philip Gabriele died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
A letter inside the package was addressed to the couple's "patients, families, friends, and all the people of Michiana."
Click the link in the Related Content box to read the entire letter.
“It is clear to us that our good works here have come to an end. We would like to thank all the good people who stood by us," the letter begins.
They also address why they took their own lives while still maintaining their innocence, explaining in part, "once a criminal indictment is filed against a physician, his/her medical career is, in all practical senses, finished."
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"We have exhausted our resources. [...] We simply cannot afford to fight anymore."
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"Finally, thank you to our patients. It was a pleasure serving you. It is hard to describe the pain and sadness that one experiences when he/she is accused of things that they did not do. Had it not been for the flood of support of your cards, phone calls, and personal pleas we would not have kept up the good fight to the very end."
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"In conclusion, we wish to thank you all again. We are at peace with our decision. We leave all our worldly possessions and assets to Sue Manuszak. She is to serve as the executor of the estate. We would like her to make sure that our 3 kitties are well cared for, not separated and not placed in a shelter."
We talked with Manuszak Monday. She told us she found a suicide note at their home Monday morning, then got a cell phone message from Dr. Gabriele explaining they were going to take their own lives. She then called 911. But by the time officers and Manuszak got to the couple's Elkhart office, both were already dead.
Manuszak told us Monday no matter how it looks, she believes the Gabrieles are innocent.
“They both had red hair and they were fighters,” she told WSBT News. “And I thought they were gonna fight this to the end because they were innocent. But unfortunately, unless you've been in their shoes or been there with them, you have no idea what it's like to go through this."
According to Manuszak, Dr. Gabriele mentioned this package would be coming to the media in the voicemail he left her.
Also in the letter, the Gabrieles accuse the federal government of giving too much power to local legal officials without appropriate oversight.
They said the allegations against them lacked merit according to renowned eye doctors, law experts and attorneys.
We called the assistant U.S. attorney who was prosecuting this case, offered to show him the documents and letters, and asked for a response. He declined.
The federal case against the Gabrieles themselves could be over; but the suit against Gabriele Eye Institute may still move forward. It is still pending in federal court.
Stay with WSBT.com for updates on this developing story, and watch WSBT News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the latest.
