Ex-Exton Chiropractor And Wife Charged With Embezzling $400K

WEST CHESTER, PA —A former Chester County chiropractor and his wife are accused of embezzling more than $400,000 from the chiropractor’s former Exton practice for home repairs, equine events, pool expenses, credit card bills, and other personal expenses over a 10-year period, according to court records.

Dr. Joseph Verna Jr., 53, and his wife, Karen, 52, formerly of Downingtown, were held for court on March 9 by District Judge John Bailey in Exton on multiple counts of theft, failure to make required disposition of funds, and related charges.

The Vernas have moved to Estero, Lee County, Fla. Formal arraignment is scheduled on March 23 in the Chester County Justice Center.

Investigators said Verna and his wife embezzled money from his Quickbooks account from his former company, Neuromuscular Chiropractic and Rehab Associates, Exton, from 2009-2019.

The police said Verna reportedly told his business partner there were no funds to pay their student loans. Verna, however, continued to use company funds to pay $78,241 for his student loans.

According to the West Whiteland police complaint:

• Verna and Dr. Carl Hiller were shareholders in the business. Verna was in charge of bookkeeping.
• In April 2022, Dr. Hiller hired Bliss and Company Ltd., West Chester, an accounting firm to review financial statements.
• A review of the records by Daniel Harris, a CPA, showed Verna used the company funds for home repairs, equine events, pool expenses, pet grooming, and other benefits.
• The review also showed Verna made payments to his wife, mother, and sister-in-law.
• As a result, his partner, Hiller suffered a financial loss.