ROGERS, Ark — Court documents confirm that the judge originally presiding over Dr. Brian Hyatt’s criminal trial where he’s accused of large-scale Medicaid fraud has recused herself.
According to online court records, Judge Karen Whatley ordered the case to be transferred to another division, and now Judge Leon Johnson will preside over the case on Jan. 1, 2024.
Judge Whatley’s office has stated that she recused herself due to her prior appointment as the Executive Director of the Arkansas State Medical Board, a board that Dr. Hyatt had served on.
Whatley was appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in February 2022. Whatley was previously the former governor’s chief legal counsel and served as his director of legislative and agency affairs.
Source: Judge in Rogers doctor’s upcoming Medicaid fraud trial recuses herself / 5 News online