Former Caspian psychologist Michael Varney was sentenced Friday to 4 1/2 to 15 years in prison. (Mining Journal photo)

MARQUETTE — Michael Wallace Varney, charged with 10 felony counts stemming from allegations that he provided a patient with drugs in return for sexual favors, was sentenced to time in prison by Judge Jennifer Mazzuchi of the 25th Circuit Court on Friday.

Varney, 62, of Caspian, was charged with three counts of second-degree criminal sexual misconduct, three counts of delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance, one count of conspiracy to commit Medicaid fraud and two counts of health care fraud. He pleaded no contest to all counts on April 18.

Varney was sentenced to a minimum of 54 months and a maximum of 15 years with credit for 282 days served. He must also pay restitution of $416,024 to the state of Michigan and an additional $11,534 in restitution for the VA Medical Center. Fines and costs are set to be paid in the amount of $200 a month upon his release from prison.

Varney must also remain registered on the sex offenders list, and a no contact order with the victim of the crime was put in place.

Varney had faced a total of 50 felonies in Dickinson, Iron and Marquette counties, based on a complaint he engaged in sexual misconduct over the past nine years with 10 patients, many of whom sought Varney’s professional help for substance abuse treatment, former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette stated in a news release Sept. 21.

Varney obtained his psychologist license in 2009, and owned and worked at Superior Psychological, which has offices in Caspian, Kingsford and Marquette, according to the complaint suspending his license July 6. As a limited license psychologist, he was not legally able to prescribe medication to his patients, Schuette stated.

Varney’s inappropriate behavior with patients included sending sexually suggestive and inappropriate messages, requesting sexually suggestive photos, providing prescription pills in exchange for sexual contact and divulging confidential information about other patients, a news release on the license suspension stated.

Trinity Carey can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243. Her email address is photos@miningjournal.net.