Friday, May 18, 2012 | 5:52 p.m.
Las Vegas neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Venger, who admitted giving false testimony to enhance medical malpractice awards and then receiving kickbacks, has been released from probation by the state Board of Medical Examiners.
The board said Venger's license is returned to active status with no conditions.
The board agreed to a settlement in 2009 for disciplinary action on Venger after he admitted he referred potential medical malpractice victims to an attorney and then lied on the witness stand to beef up any judgment.
In one payment for his actions, Venger received more than $200,000.
He was granted immunity from federal prosecution for testifying at the trial of attorney Noel Gage, who eventually pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in return for having other charges dismissed.
The medical board filed a complaint in June 2008 against Venger accusing him of deceitful and disreputable conduct in referring the clients and then giving "untruthful professional medical opinions" during sworn depositions and trial testimony.
In the agreement with the board, Venger's medical license was suspended but that was stayed and he was placed on probation for three years.
He was fined $5,000, was ordered to undergo therapy, provide 805 hours of community service of clinical and administrative work at a Las Vegas hospital and reimburse the board $12,375 for the cost of its investigation.
He had also agreed to make restitution in a medical malpractice case.
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