DETROIT – A Grosse Pointe Park man who was convicted with selling infected body parts for research back in January was sentenced this week.
Arthur Rathburn was accused of covering up the fact that the body parts had tested positive for hepatitis B and HIV. They were used for medical training at national conferences. There were no reports of illness from conference attendees.
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Rathburn was convicted of eight crimes, including illegal transportation of hazardous material. Some of the crimes carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison apiece.
On Tuesday, Rathburn was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison.
“We hope this sentence brings closure to the victims of Arthur Rathburn,” stated United States Attorney Matthew Schneider. “Rathburn’s disgraceful conduct not only put the health of innocent people at risk, he showed a complete lack of regard for the donors and their families, who are all victims.”
“Arthur Rathburn carried out a long term, complex scheme to increase his personal profits, showing little respect to the donors and risking the welfare of those in the medical and dental community relying on human remains free from hepatitis, HIV, and other dangerous diseases,” said Timothy R. Slater, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit FBI. “His sentence represents the FBI’s commitment to partner with our federal and state colleagues in the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Arizona Attorney General, to ensure the community is protected from fraudulent actions, regardless of how they are undertaken and irrespective of the sophistication of the fraud. The FBI continues to work collectively across the country to find and bring those profiteering in the anatomical donation industry to justice.”
The government's witnesses included Rathburn's ex-wife, who pleaded guilty to fraud.
A federal agent told jurors about raiding Rathburn's International Biological Inc. warehouse four years ago. Agent Leslie Larsen said she saw body parts frozen together.
Defense lawyers said Rathburn may have been negligent but he didn't commit crimes.