Surgeon’s Medical License Suspended Following Bank Fraud Scheme
In April 2026, the North Carolina Medical Board ruled that Dr. Bruce Howard Marko’s medical license would remain suspended until at least 2027. What’s notable about this suspension isn’t the fact that it’s the result of Dr. Marko’s criminal conviction. Rather, it’s because the criminal conviction is unrelated to Dr. Marko’s medical practice.
It might seem like an arrest or criminal charge isn’t a big deal as long as it’s unrelated to your professional license. Thinking this way is a mistake. Medical boards across the country may use allegations of criminal misconduct to suspend or revoke your medical privileges. This is true whether you’re a physician, doctor of osteopathic medicine, or surgeon.
As soon as you learn of any accusation of criminal wrongdoing, contact the LLF National Law Firm’s Professional License Defense Team. Schedule a consultation by calling 888-535-3686 or using our online contact form.
Dr. Marko’s Bank Fraud Scheme
According to the April 9, 2026, Consent Order from the North Carolina Medical Board, Dr. Marko practiced medicine in Charlotte, North Carolina, specializing in hair restoration surgery.
In 2018 or 2019, Dr. Marko needed money for a real estate development project in Las Vegas, Nevada. After failing to obtain a loan through legal channels, he worked with two others to fraudulently obtain loans for the real estate investment.
Dr. Marko tricked the financial institutions into thinking they were loaning him money to buy medical equipment. He also gave false financial statements that showed investments that didn’t exist and overstated his income.
The authorities eventually learned of Dr. Marko’s scheme. On September 15, 2023, he pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Bank Fraud.
In March 2024, Dr. Marko contacted the North Carolina Medical Board about his guilty plea. On April 30, 2025, a federal district court sentenced him to a year and a day in prison with two years’ probation. On July 2, 2025, Dr. Marko voluntarily surrendered his North Carolina medical license.
The North Carolina Medical Board Takes Action
Dr. Marko’s guilty plea qualified as a felony conviction under applicable North Carolina Law. This meant that the North Carolina Medical Board could take action against his medical license.
Dr. Marko waived his right to a hearing and judicial review of his professional license disciplinary action. He also agreed to the following sanctions as laid out in his Consent Order:
- An indefinite suspension of his North Carolina medical license
- Marko can’t apply for reinstatement of his medical license until at least January 1, 2027.
- Marko shall obey all laws, including those relating to the practice of medicine.
- Marko must meet with the North Carolina Medical Board for an investigative interview and provide any information it requests to verify that Dr. Marko has complied with the Consent Order.
- Failing to comply with the Consent Order’s terms shall qualify as a separate instance of unprofessional conduct.
- The Consent Order shall be available to the public.
Get Professional License Defense Help
A criminal conviction may have nothing to do with your medical practice. Yet a state medical board can view that conviction as professional misconduct.
Don’t let a personal mistake put your career at risk without first talking to the LLF National Law Firm. Our Professional License Defense Team can help protect your rights and advise you on the best course of action when litigating against your state’s licensing board. Get started as soon as possible by contacting us online or by calling 888-535-3686.