One of the onetime most prominent cardiologists in the Tri-State is facing 27 federal criminal counts following his indictment by a federal grand jury in Lexington, Kentucky.

Dr. Richard Paulus, 68, a former cardiologist with King’s Daughters Medical Center, has been charged with one count of health care fraud and 26 counts of making false statements.

The charges focus on the allegation that he performed unnecessary cardiac stents. Paulus made on average $2 million a year for his work at KDMC.

Last year KDMC agreed to pay $40.9 million to settle an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice that the Ashland-based hospital submitted false claims to Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid for unnecessary coronary stents and diagnostic catherizations.

Despite that agreement the hospital said KDMC denied the government’s claim and admitted no wrongdoing.

Paulus’ arraignment is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 24 at the federal court in Ashland. He could face up to 10 years in prison on the health care fraud charge and five years for the other 26 charges.