UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
A Reno OB-GYN previously sanctioned by the state medical board is now facing federal charges tied to a health care fraud investigation.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Dr. Samuel Chacon was indicted this week on one count of health care fraud and eight counts of making false statements related to health care matters.
Federal prosecutors allege Chacon submitted false insurance claims for unnecessary gynecologic procedures and falsified patient records to support those claims.
The charges stem from Chacon’s time as owner of the Women’s Health Center of Reno, where, according to court documents, he allegedly billed Medicaid and multiple private insurance providers for procedures not medically justified. These include hysterectomies, bladder sling operations, vaginal vault suspensions, and other surgical interventions.
Federal investigators say the alleged fraud occurred between January 2017 and November 2022. The indictment claims Chacon misrepresented patients' symptoms and diagnoses to justify the procedures, some of which reportedly led to serious medical complications.
“FBI Las Vegas is determined to hold bad actors in healthcare accountable for exploiting our healthcare programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division. “Those who commit illegal acts such as false claims and fraudulent services, prioritizing greed over the well-being of others, will face the full force of the law.”
The FBI is asking anyone who believes they were affected by Dr. Chacon’s medical care or has relevant information to fill out a form as part of the ongoing investigation. Responses are voluntary, but some people may be contacted to provide further details.
Chacon was arrested earlier this week and has made an initial court appearance. A jury trial is scheduled for November 18 before United States District Judge Anne R. Traum. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah announced the indictment, along with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Andolyn Johnson is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation. Chacon is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
UPDATE - JUNE 6, 2025
The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners has revoked the license of a Reno doctor accused of malpractice.
The board says the decision to revoke Dr. Samuel Chacon's license was based on a settlement agreement "that resolved several formal complaints brought by the Board against him."
The board also says Dr. Chacon violated the law when he continued to provide pregnancy care but did not have hospital privileges and did not make other arrangements for delivery.
Dr. Chacon’s license has been suspended pending resolution of those allegations since September 6, 2023.
Permanent revocation is not permitted under Nevada law. However, Dr. Chacon cannot reapply for a medical license until after June 6, 2030, and cannot practice medicine again in Nevada unless - or until the Board grants him a new license. The agreement also states that he has to pay $65,000 in reimbursement for the Board’s costs in prosecuting him and a public letter of reprimand.
“The entire team has worked tirelessly on these issues on behalf of the women who have been and could be affected if Dr. Chacon continued to practice in Nevada. I believe we have met our obligation to protect the public in this case, and this action will demonstrate to other providers that the Board is serious about fulfilling our highest legislative charge to ensure that unfit physicians are removed from the medical profession so they will not cause continued harm to the public,” said President of the Board, Dr. Nick Spirtos.
You can read the decision below -
JUNE 5, 2025
A Reno doctor accused of malpractice has reached a settlement with a committee for the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners.
According to the terms of the settlement, which have not yet been accepted by the board, Samuel Chacon would have his medical license revoked and would not be able to reapply for it for five years.
He would also agree to pay $65,000 for the costs of the investigation.
As we've reported, Chacon was accused of endangering his patients.
FEBRUARY 26, 2025:
The Nevada Board of Medical Examiners held a hearing regarding the status of local gynecologist and obstetrician Samuel Chacon.
Wednesday was the first day of hearings for the board, where an attorney for Dr. Chacon and for the board presented opening statements.
The board alleged Chacon told a patient he was treating that he would be able to deliver her babies when he was not licensed to do so, which they say constituted malpractice.
Chacon's attorney claimed his privileges were suspended for reasons not related to patient care, and he claimed to have notified the patient of that.
Chacon is set to testify at the hearing on Thursday, and the board is expected to meet in June to decide whether to revoke Chacon's license or not.
His license was suspended by a state investigative committee after they said he endangered a woman with a high-risk pregnancy when he failed to refer her to an appropriate care provider.
It is one of at least six formal complaints against the doctor.
The medical board alleges Chacon recommended unnecessary medical procedures.
DECEMBER 18, 2023:
A Reno doctor accused of malpractice told a hearing officer that he was following protocol when one of his patients delivered a high-risk pregnancy in Renown's emergency room.
Dr. Samuel Chacon testified Monday that he had informed his patients that he could not deliver their babies after losing his birthing privileges at Renown in November 2022.
A state investigative committee suspended his license in September, saying he continued to advertise prenatal services and endangered a woman with a high-risk pregnancy when he failed to refer her to appropriate care providers.
Their report says he risked her safety and well-being by referring her to the Renown ER.
However, Chacon's lawyer argues that he made it clear to the patient that she had to find another service to deliver her twins.
OCTOBER 12, 2023:
A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon for the Reno doctor accused of medical malpractice.
It's the first time Dr. Samuel Chacon has appeared before the state medical examiner's board since his license was suspended.
Wednesday's public hearing is for the board to decide if his license should be terminated permanently.
Dr. Chacon, who has been practicing in Washoe County for almost 20 years, is accused of abusing and endangering his patients at the Women's Health Center of Reno.
Some of the accusations include reproductive coercion, forced sterilization, giving medical misinformation, and sexual abuse.
Meanwhile, the FBI in Las Vegas is seeking information in the investigation.
The FBI says if you believe that you were victimized by Dr. Chacon or that you have information pertinent to this investigation, the FBI wants you to fill out a short form.
Responses are voluntary but may be useful in the federal investigation and to identify people as possible victims. Based on the responses given, you may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information.
In its Sept. 5th suspension order, the Board says, based on an investigation, Samuel Chacon's "acts place the health, safety, and welfare of the public at risk of imminent harm pursuant to NRS 630.326(1)."
The order states that in November 2022, Chacon surrendered hospital privileges at Renown and therefore "could not deliver any of his prenatal patients."
The order then details one woman's high-risk pregnancy with twins in March 2023. It says that Chacon did not refer her to "an appropriate care provider" who could deliver the twins, nor did he make arrangements with another physician group who could assume the prenatal care."
The Board says, despite the detailed case, he "is continuing to offer prenatal care to other established patients and advertise for and accept new prenatal patients despite his lack of hospital privileges and his inability to deliver his patients."
Chacon was also arrested in October 2022 in a two-day operation to combat prostitution and other alleged sex crimes near the University of Nevada, Reno.
UPDATE: JANUARY 23, 2023
Several women accusing a Reno doctor of medical malpractice protested outside his Moana Lane office on Monday.
The Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence accuses Dr. Samuel Chacon of performing unnecessary surgeries, botched operation,s and abusive practices.
According to court documents, Dr. Chacon has four active medical cases being investigated against him.
Women’s Health Center of Reno specializes in obstetrics and gynecology-related services.
Chacon was also arrested last October in a two-day operation to combat prostitution and other alleged sex crimes near the University of Nevada, Reno.
Organizers are now pushing for state lawmakers to help address the allegations against the doctor.
We have reached out to attorneys representing Dr. Chacon multiple times. We have yet to get a response back from them.
Women's Health Center of Reno did not comment.
