WBRZ - Baton Rouge

A former officer for a chain of orthodontic clinics has been charged with falsifying corporate records and lying to auditors.

Bart Palmisano Jr. was chief financial officer of Orthodontic Centers of America Inc., which was once headquartered in Metairie.

Prosecutors accuse him of artificially increasing the company's revenue and assets.

He also is charged with fabricating documents to back a concocted story when he was confronted about the books.

Palmisano faces up to 20 years in prison and a $5 million fine on each count.