Raleigh body parts supplier faces accusations of fraud

RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal prosecutors say a Raleigh body parts supplier falsified medical histories, identities and blood samples of cadavers he was harvesting to ensure the risky tissue could be sold for human transplant.

Court documents filed against Philip Guyett Jr. accuse him of forging the age and cause of death of bodies he gathered from North Carolina funeral homes.

Tissues can be rejected for a number of reasons to protect the health of transplant recipients, and prosecutors contend he provided fake information to hide instances of disease or drug use.

The "criminal information" paperwork filed in the case is not a formal indictment, but it typically signals a plea deal. Guyett is scheduled to face arraignment on March 9.

His attorney declined to comment Tuesday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration shut down Guyett's Donor Referral Services in August 2006, saying the company had "serious deficiencies" in its processing, donor screening and record-keeping.