Former partners in Warner Robins dental practice involved in lawsuit over finances

A Warner Robins dentist has alleged that his former partner and chief financial officer pocketed more than $200,000 from dental office funds.

But the former partner denies the allegation and in a counterclaim alleged that the dental office owes him nearly $1 million in management services he provided for the practice.

The lawsuit was filed in Houston County Superior Court by Houston Dental Professionals and Joseph T. Sumrall against Jeffrey T. Vasko. The suit was moved in March to federal court in Macon because Vasko lives out of state.

According to the lawsuit, Sumrall and Vasko were in practice together for nearly 10 years at Houston Dental Professionals in Warner Robins.

When Vasko left the practice, he sold his portion of the company and his stock purchases to Sumrall's son and fellow dentist in the practice, Joseph G. Sumrall.

In addition, Houston Dental Professionals agreed to pay Vasko $950,376 in 84 payments of $11,314 for management of the practice. Vasko was the chief financial officer from 2010-2014, according to the lawsuit.

But after the agreement was signed, "evidence of mismanagement" by Vasko was discovered, the lawsuit alleges.

Specifically, Vasko is accused of receiving unauthorized personal advances of $86,023, directing unauthorized contributions to his retirement fund totalling $50,000 and misallocating $85,000.

The lawsuit, which noted that Houston Dental Professionals is continuing to investigate the alleged mismanagement by Vasko, seeks damages to be determined in a trial, the revocation of the management practice agreement and all litigation expenses.

In a counterclaim to the lawsuit filed last week, Vasko denies all of the allegations and claims a breach of contract by Houston Dental Professionals. He said in his lawsuit that he has not received a single promised payment.

The counterclaim also seeks to add Joseph G. Sumrall to the lawsuit. Without him being added, Vasko claims he cannot effectively mount a defense or litigate his counterclaim.

Vasko seeks damages, including interest earnings and all litigation costs.

Vasko's Macon attorney, C. Brian Jarrad, declined comment Friday, and efforts to reach Joseph Sumrall's Atlanta attorney, Brian W. Burkhalter, for comment were unsuccessful Friday.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559, or find her on Twitter @becpurser.

This story was originally published April 10, 2016 at 7:27 PM with the headline "Former partners in Warner Robins dental practice involved in lawsuit over finances ."