OHIO MEDICAL BOARD RECORD— 34.002293 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS—License active; see board actions at the bottom of this blog post.
Youngstown doctor faces 78 counts related to over-prescribing pain meds
Prosecutors said William Paloski has an office on Market Street in the uptown section of Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A doctor with an office in Youngstown is facing 78 charges related to prescribing drugs illegally and in excess, according to an indictment released Thursday.
Between 2012 and 2015, investigators looked into Dr. William Paloski and his practice, BEM Medical Arts Center at 3100 Market Street in Youngstown. The 73-year-old has been practicing medicine since 1974.
“The time period of the activity spans three years and our investigation was right around three and a half years,” said Mahoning County Assistant Prosecutor Martin Desmond.
According to the 30-page indictment, Paloski faces the following charges:
Trafficking in drugs
Illegal processing of drug documents
Unlawful sale/delivery of dangerous drug
Money laundering
Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
Prosecutors said Paloski is charged with over-prescribing pain medications to patients, as well as prescribing to people who weren’t sick at all.
“The charges stem from his prescription practices, and our belief is that he did what the indictment says. He did it in a manner that was not in accordance with the law and it was for no necessary medical purposes,” Desmond said.
Investigators said Paloski mostly prescribed the painkillers tramadol and codeine.
Desmond said they conducted a search warrant in April of 2015 and did some other investigations after that.
Police conducted several undercover operations where they received drugs from Paloski, prosecutors said.
“Just in the last several months, we got all of our information back and got to the process of preparing the indictment.”
Prosecutors said they have been in touch with Paloski’s attorney. While he has not been arrested at this time, a summons has been issued for him to appear in court.
Paloski will be arraigned in common pleas court, but a date hasn’t been set yet. (LINK)—2/02/2017
Canfield doctor faces sentencing after prescription painkiller plea
A Canfield doctor has entered a special type of plea to a fraction of the 78 charges he faced following an investigation into his practices involving prescription painkillers.
Dr. William Paloski, 73, appeared in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on Friday and entered what is known as an Alford Plea to five felony charges including attempted illegal processing of drug documents, possession of dangerous drugs, and trafficking in drugs.
The plea also includes eight misdemeanor counts of possessing the dangerous drug.
Under the agreement, the remaining 65 charges are being dismissed.
According to Assistant County Prosecutor Martin Desmond, Paloski illegally prescribed painkillers such as Tramadol and Codeine for no legitimate medical reason from his office at 3100 Market Street in Youngstown.
Tramadol is an opiate-based drug used for treating moderate to severe pain in adults, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.
According to the Legal Information Institute of the Cornell University Law School, someone agreeing to an Alford Plea accepts all the ramifications of a guilty verdict, such as sentencing, without first admitting to having committed the crime.
Under the plea agreement, Dr. Paloski faces a maximum sentence of six months to one year in prison on each of the five felony charges, and up to six months on each of the eight misdemeanors.
The investigation spanned a time period from 2012 to 2015, resulting in Paloski losing his privileges to write prescriptions for controlled substances until he completes a course in prescribing those drugs.
Paloski, who has been practicing medicine since 1974, will be sentenced on May 23. (LINK)—3/24/2017
Youngstown Doctor to Give Up License after Illegally Dispensing Drugs
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Youngstown doctor who practiced medicine for more than four decades will give up his license for the next five years. That’s even though a Mahoning County judge told him if he had his his way, he would have lost that license for the rest of his life.
Seventy-four-year-old William Paloski was in court Tuesday morning for sentencing on drug charges.
Prosecutors said Paloski was dispensing drugs to his patients and clients, sometimes even without a valid medical reason to do it.
Members of the Drug Task Force began investigating his practice years ago after discovering bottles used to contain his prescriptions in local drug houses. Investigators said his so-called patients would take the drugs and then sell or trade them on the streets.
Paloski’s lawyer, Dave Betras, asked the judge to not send his client to prison.
“He’s here at the end of his career, publicly humiliated, and that your honor, is a punishment,” he said.
Although Paloski will not spend time behind bars, Judge Scott Krichbaum refused to even address Paloski as a doctor.
“I mean it simply as an objective observer here that you are not in the eyes of this court a doctor. I won’t refer to you that way,” Krichbaum said. “You stand before me as a person convicted of serious criminal offenses, felonies.”
Krichbaum also had a few choice words for the lawyers regarding their delays in handling the case.
“This is outrageous. I’m greatly disappointed in what’s gone on here,” he said.
Paloski agreed to take a plea bargain on March 24, but it took until Tuesday to get the paperwork finished.
For his part, Paloski apologized for what he had done to himself and his family.
“I’m gonna tell you that I have five years that I can put you in the penitentiary, and if you do violate, I will put you in the penitentiary for five years,” he said. (LINK)—5/23/2017
MEDICAL BOARD ACTIONS
12/14/2016: PROBATIONARY REQUEST - Doctor’s requests for approval of a controlled substance prescribing course, a monitoring physician and practice plan granted by vote of the Board on 12/14/16. Frequency and number of charts to be reviewed by monitor established.
10/19/2016: CONSENT AGREEMENT - License to practice medicine and surgery limited so that doctor shall not prescribe, order, administer, dispense or personally furnish any controlled substance until doctor completes a controlled substance prescribing course approved by the Board. License also subject to probationary terms, conditions and limitations for at least three years. Based on doctor’s settlement agreement with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy regarding the terminal distributor of dangers drug license of BEM Medical Arts Center for which doctor was the responsible person. Agreement effective 10/19/16.
03/09/2016: BOARD ORDER - Osteopathic medical license temporarily limited and restricted so that the doctor shall not utilize any controlled substances. The restriction shall remain in effect until the doctor can demonstrate that he is under no suspension, probation or any other encumbrance or obligation to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy resulting from the summary suspension/notice of opportunity for hearing for the Terminal Distributor of Dangerous Drugs Licensee Classification Pain Management Clinic issued to BEM Medical Arts Center and the doctor. Based on summary suspension by the State Board of Pharmacy of a Terminal Distributor of Dangerous Drugs with a Pain Management Clinic Classification for which doctor was responsible person. Order effective March 23, 2016.
09/09/2015: PRE-HEARING SUSPENSION - Pursuant to Section 4731.22(G), Ohio Revised Code, medical license summarily suspended based on Board’s determination that there is clear and convincing evidence that doctor is in violation of Sections 4731.22(B)(22) and (B)(41), Ohio Revised Code and that his continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public. Order effective 9/9/15.
09/09/2015: CITATION - Based on summary suspension by the State Board of Pharmacy of a Terminal Distributor of Dangerous Drugs with a Pain Management Clinic Classification for which doctor was responsible person and based on the doctor’s alleged failure to comply with the standards and procedures for the operation of or provision of care at a pain management clinic. Notice of Opportunity for hearing mailed September 10, 2015.
On Feb. 13, Sharma met in Darien with the owner of a company that provides benefits to Medicare and Medicaid patients. At the meeting, according to federal prosecutors, Sharma proposed that he refer patients in exchange for monthly cash payments and a title of medical director of the other man’s company.
Chicago cops indicted, safe driving: a matter of perspective, and a raccoon rides the subway.
That man, however, went to the FBI. On Feb. 27, in Rockford under the watchful eyes of federal agents, that man paid Dharma $2,500, according to the U.S. Attorney. Sharma was arrested Friday morning and charged with receiving illegal remunerations.
In addition to prison time, he could be fined $25,000 and be compelled to pay full restitution.
Sharma was Vice President of Medical Affairs / Chief Medical Director at IlliniCare in Westmont. Previously, Sharma had a private practice in geriatric medicine in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. (LINK)—3/14/2015
Lemont doctor pleads guilty to accepting kickbacks in Rockford, Belvidere
ROCKFORD — A Lemont doctor pleaded guilty this afternoon to taking $10,000 in kickbacks from a person in Rockford and Belvidere in exchange for funneling patients to that person’s company.
Neil Sharma, 36, served as medical director for an undisclosed managed-care company and offered to refer Medicare and Medicaid patients to an unnamed company in exchange for cash payments, according to court records.
Sharma pleaded guilty today to bribery.
He accepted $2,500 from an individual with the company on Feb. 27, 2015, in Rockford — after that person first went to the FBI. That same person paid Sharma $7,500 when they met on March 13, 2015, in Belvidere — before Sharma was arrested.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Paccagnini said the company for which Sharma worked provided skilled nursing services. (LINK)—2/02/2017
Doctor sentenced in bribery case
A doctor from Lemont has been sentenced to 30 months in a federal prison after admitting to soliciting bribes, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago.
Neil Sharma, 37, also will serve a year of probation, according to a news release.
Sharma has been a licensed Illinois physician since March 2011, and between September 2013 and March 2015 was the medical director of a managed care services company that contracted to provide health care services to Medicare and Medicaid patients, according to the release. The firm was identified in court records only as “Company A.”
Illinois contracted with Sharma’s firm to provide skilled nursing services to patients in certain facilities, and Sharma’s company subcontracted with other firms, according to the release. In a plea agreement entered earlier this year, Sharma admitted that, for a period of a month in early 2015, he solicited bribes from an owner of one of the three subcontractors, according to the release.
In exchange for the bribes, Sharma stated that he would provide the subcontractor with more skilled nursing patients and with additional Medicaid and Medicare patients through his company’s anti-depressant monitoring program and hospital re-admission program, the government said.
Sharma accepted cash payments totaling $10,000 from the owner of the subcontracting firm before being arrested and charged in March 2015. (LINK)—6/13/2017
NEW YORK MEDICAL BOARD RECORD— 005269 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS—no actions listed as of 6/27/2017
Albany Chiropractor Accused of Sexually Abusing 2 Patients
An Albany chiropractor is facing sex abuse charges – he’s accused of inappropriately touching his patients.
Doctor Seth Kohl was arrested Monday night. According to police, two female patients reported the abuse over the past several months.
A lengthy investigation led to the arrest.
One of the women who reported the abuse is 51 years old; the other is 64.
“It’s something we take seriously. We have a unit that’s actually dedicated to these types of incidents. Our main concern during these types of incidents is the victims. We do whatever we can to make sure the victim is taken care of during the process,” said Albany Police Department’s Steve Smith.
Doctor Kohl is facing two counts of misdemeanor sexual abuse.
He was arraigned Tuesday morning, and released pending his next court appearance.
OKLAHOMA MEDICAL BOARD RECORD— 3978 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS— the website says to contact the board
Oklahoma attorney general charges doctor with 5 counts of murder
The Oklahoma attorney general has charged a 67-year-old doctor with five counts of second-degree murder, accusing her of prescribing excessive amounts of “dangerous” medications to patients “without legitimate medical need” and causing the deaths of at least five patients.
The charges were filed in the District Court of Oklahoma County against Regan Nichols, an osteopathic physician in Midwest City, Oklahoma, on Friday morning. Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has accused Nichols of being involved in five deaths, all of which occurred between 2010 and 2013, according to the probable cause affidavit. The patients who died ranged in age from 21 to 55.
Reports from the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s office stated that all five of the deaths were the result of multi-drug toxicity, according to a press release from the attorney general’s office.
Three of the individuals were allegedly prescribed “deadly” and “addictive” combination “cocktails,” which included Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Alprazolam and Carisoprodol, according to the affidavit, which stated that all of the prescriptions were signed by Nichols.
Nichols also allegedly prescribed more than 3 million dosage units of controlled dangerous substances between Jan. 1, 2010 and Oct. 7, 2014, based on data gathered by agents with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control’s Prescription Monitoring Program, according to the affidavit.
The attorney general also alleged that 10 of Nichols’ patients died from overdoses during that time period. Nichols is being charged with five counts of second-degree murder.
After the September 2015 hearing, the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners stripped Nichols of her ability to prescribe controlled dangerous substance for five years, according to court documents. She then voluntarily surrendered her credentials.
During the 2015 hearing, when asked if she thought she overprescribed, Nichols responded that she believed the patients had developed a tolerance to their medications.
Earlier that year, in a March 2015 interview with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, Nichols told investigators that she would “fire” or dismiss patients who did not comply with the office’s drug screen policies, but she would “unfire” them or give them second and third chances if the abused drug was marijuana, according to the affidavit.
An Oklahoma County judge issued a warrant for Nichols’ arrest on Friday. She will be held on $50,000 bond.
“Dr. Nichols prescribed extremely large quantities of controlled substances in suspect combinations, including the most abused and sought after drugs on the street, to numerous patients with very little medical examination or the establishment of a valid doctor-patient relationship and for no legitimate medical need,” the probable cause affidavit states.
In a statement, Hunter said that “Nichols’ blatant disregard for the lives of her patients is unconscionable.”
“The dangers associated with opioid drugs have been well documented and most doctors follow strict guidelines when prescribingopioids to their patients,” Hunter said. “Nichols prescribed patients, who entrusted their well-being to her, a horrifyingly excessive amount of opioid medications.”
Nichols was not on law enforcement’s radar until May 2014, when a concerned former patient reported her to authorities, according to the affidavit. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control said it began investigating her in October 2014.
Nichols was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail Friday afternoon on $50,000 bond. As of Friday afternoon, Nichols had not yet been arraigned, according to the Oklahoma County Court Clerk.
ABC News could not immediately reach Nichols for comment, and it is unclear if she retained an attorney. Calls to her medical office were not returned and the phone there appeared to be disconnected. (LINK)—6/23/2017
MICHIGAN MEDICAL BOARD RECORD— 5101011059 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS—License active; no actions listed as of 6/24/2017
Mary Free Bed doctor on leave for ‘irregular billing practices
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital doctor has been placed on administrative leave due to alleged irregular billing practices.
An investigation is underway into Dr. Stephen Bloom, one of the hospital’s medical directors. Mary Free Bed CEO Kent Riddle informed employees on Wednesday that “irregular billing practices” by Bloom were discovered.
The hospital is required by state and federal law to report that the so-called irregularities occurred.
Bloom is a popular, highly regarded, triple-certified doctor at the hospital who has been recognized at the state and national level for his work in brain injury. He is the medical director of the Wounded Warrior Brain Injury program.
The University of Michigan and Michigan State University graduate has been with Mary Free Bed since 1994 and has appeared many times on 24 Hour News 8 — most recently last year as he helped in the rehabilitation of a heavy metal drummer injured in a tour bus crash.
A spokesperson for Mary Free Bed declined to appear on camera Wednesday, but said the situation with Bloom will not affect patient care, and that the hospital is trusting the judicial process and fully cooperating with authorities.
The hospital did say that the irregularities involved Medicaid and/or Medicare services.
Little about the alleged irregular billing practices is currently known, including whether Bloom himself or someone at his office is thought to be at fault. The Medicaid billing process if complex and it is entirely possible that there was no criminal intent is involved.
Because the case involves Medicaid/Medicare, agencies including the Michigan Attorney General, the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI could be involved. 24 Hour News 8 contacted all of those agencies, but none of them will comment on ongoing investigations or even confirm that investigations are taking place.
Investigators say that when and if anything comes of the probe, they will let us know.
Michigan has been cracking down on Medicaid financing in the wake of a report that showed that Michigan was among the 10 states with the most overpayments, according to the Center for Medicare Integrity.
In 2014, the group said Michigan had nearly $63 million in overpayments — nearly $50 per Medicaid recipient. In 2015, that number was down to $10.6 million or $8.40 per recipient, putting Michigan at number 24 among all the states.
Wednesday, 24 Hour News 8 reached out to Bloom at his home since he is not currently practicing and received a letter from his attorney, but no statement. (LINK)—3/15/2017
NEW JERSEY MEDICAL BOARD RECORD— 25MB03513600 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS—License active; no board actions as of 6/24/2017
April Kauffman’s Daughter: My Step-Father Killed Her
Radio host was shot to death in 2012, but a year and a half later the case remains unsolved
The daughter of April Kauffman, a radio host killed inside her Atlantic County home in 2012, is claiming her step-father is responsible for the murder and should not get insurance money he’s been fighting to receive, despite the fact he’s never been charged with the crime.
In a federal legal filing submitted on Thursday, Kimberly Pack charges that Dr. James Kauffman, her step-father and April’s husband, is “responsible for the intentional killing” of the 47-year-old. The allegation is the first time anyone has been openly accused of April Kauffman’s death.
“I’ve purposefully tried to avoid talking about what happened, but now after being brought into this lawsuit, I have no choice [but] to respond and fight for what I know is right,” Pack said at press conference following the filing. “I can no longer sit back and allow, what I perceive is an injustice to occur. I know that my mom would not want me to sit back any longer.”
April Kauffman was well-known down the Jersey Shore as a radio personality at WOND 1400 AM. She was found shot to death inside the bedroom of her Linwood, N.J. home on May 10, 2012. The homicide investigation is on-going, but more than a year and half later no one has been arrested or charged. Prosecutors have been tight-lipped about the case and have said they were not considering the murder to be random.
Pack says she is speaking out now after being brought in to a civil lawsuit filed by James Kauffman, who has been attempting to collect the $600,000 in life insurance taken out by his former wife. Both Pack and her step-father are beneficiaries.
“This is nonsense,” said Ed Jacobs, attorney for Dr. Kauffman. “Dr. Kauffman has lost his wife in the unsolved homicide. He’s cooperated fully with the Atlantic County Prosecutor Office’s investigation. Ms. Pack has been interviewed multiple times, multiple times over the course of the investigation and my client has never been charged.”
James Kauffman asked to collect the money, which was broken across two policies administered by Transamerica Life Insurance, about three months after his wife’s death. Transamerica refused to pay out the cash because it had not received a copy of the police report in the case. The husband then sued for the money in June 2013.
A counterclaim, filed by Transamerica, said the insurance company needed to review a copy of the police report in the homicide before determining whether to pay out the policies.
“Determination on the payment of death claim benefits could not be made without first determining that plaintiff [Dr. James Kauffman] had no involvement with the death of the insured,” the counterclaim, filed in September 2013, said. “Transamerica, therefore is unable to determine whether plaintiff may have been responsible for the intentional killing of April Kauffman.”
Transamerica also filed papers to bring Pack into the case, since she is also a beneficiary of the insurance policies. Her attorney, Patrick D’Arcy, said Pack did not ask to be part of the case.
As part of her counterclaim filing on Thursday, Pack claims her step-father should be barred from collecting the insurance money under New Jersey’s “Slayer Statute.” The law prevents a person from benefitting financially from their own wrongdoing.
Pack has asked a federal judge to deny James Kauffman’s case and direct the insurance money to her.
“This is a very serious matter and I, along with my attorneys…have given careful consideration into what is at stake,” she said.
D’Arcy said his firm has conducted an investigation into the case and has set up a toll-free hotline, 844-DJD-TIPS, to collect tips about the on-going murder investigation. They have also set up a Facebook page.
“In the meantime, we look forward to the day when Dr. Kauffman is put under oath and asked the questions that everyone has wanted asked for two years,” D’Arcy said. “We will not rest until justice is served.”
Jacobs said since Pack made the claims, it’ll be her burden to prove them in court. He characterized today’s actions as “a fairly routine dispute over insurance monies…What this is about is money. Plain and simple,” Jacobs said.
A spokeswoman with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said they cannot comment on the allegations citing the current investigation, which she says is open and on-going. The office also would not comment as to whether prosecutors would be contacting Pack about her new public claims. (LINK)—1/23/2014
‘Sir! Drop the gun!’ Watch police negotiate with armed doctor husband of slain N.J. radio personality
MAYS LANDING, N.J. – “Sir! Drop the gun!” yelled the police negotiator outside of James Kauffman’s endocrinology practice early last Tuesday, according to an excerpt of body-camera video played in Superior Court on Monday morning.
“I’m not going to jail for this!” Kauffman, armed with a 9mm weapon, could be heard shouting.
“It’s a search warrant!” he’s told by the negotiator, whose weapon is pointed at the practice’s door. “You’re not under arrest!”
But the 45-minute standoff, nine minutes of which were played in court (see video below), led to Kauffman’s arrest on gun charges, and on Monday prompted Judge Bernard DeLury to order Kauffman, 68, detained pending trial.
The warrant, prosecutors have said, is unrelated to the May 10, 2012, slaying of the physician’s wife, April, a Jersey Shore radio host, though on Monday Prosecutor Damon Tyner said, “It’s all connected.”
Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy had urged the judge to detain Kauffman based on what Kauffman said in the video.
” ‘I’m not going to jail for this!’ Those were his words,” said Levy. “He pulled a gun out in order to avoid being arrested on charges. He kept police in an hour-long standoff. It shows how far he’s willing to go to avoid coming to court.”
Levy said Kauffman had another gun in a storage area of his car, and is known to be a gun collector. He also had $100,000 in cash, which was found in his office. Levy noted he has homes in Arizona and Philadelphia, and a valid passport.
“Had law enforcement not been so calm in this situation, the defendant may very well have been justifiably shot,” Levy added. “He pulled a gun on law enforcement.”
Ed Jacobs, Kauffman’s attorney, said he would appeal the detention ruling. He noted that Kauffman had pulled the gun out of the waistband of his scrubs and pointed it at himself, not police, according to police reports. And he said Kauffman “has every statutory right to have a weapon on those premises.”
Jacobs said Kauffman’s words were the result of the strain of being investigated — and his fear of being arrested — for a homicide he says he didn’t commit. He said Kauffman has long demonstrated that he is not a flight risk.
“Dr. Kauffman has been the exclusive source of investigative activities by the Atlantic County prosecutor in the homicide of his wife for five years,” he said. “For five years, he’s stayed here.”
DeLury said whether Kauffman was attempting to harm himself or law enforcement wasn’t the point. “But for cool and responsible actions by police in this case,” DeLury said, “the defendant’s brandishing of a firearm put him in danger [and] could have had deadly consequences for police and others in the area.
“During the hour he was held by police, the potential for dangerous escalation in the case was palpable,” DeLury said before ruling for detention.
Kauffman’s wife, Carole Weintraub of Philadelphia, attended the hearing. She has declined comment.
April Kauffman’s 2012 murder inside her bedroom roiled the affluent suburb of Linwood, outside Atlantic City. The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has said it will work as quickly as possible to return medical files seized in the raid, the subject of which they have declined to specify.
Jacobs said the search warrant he examined mentioned “health-care fraud and homicide.” The prosecutor would not disclose any further information.
The prosecutor has 90 days to indict Kauffman on the gun charges and 180 days to try him, Tyner said. He said the state would move to have Kauffman’s medical license suspended. (LINK)—6/19/2017
Doctor accused of ordering wife’s murder over drug ring dies in jail
HUDSON COUNTY, N.J. – A New Jersey doctor accused of arranging the slaying of his radio host wife to keep her from exposing a drug distribution ring he was running with an outlaw biker gang was found dead in his jail cell Friday in an apparent suicide.
Authorities did not release details of how Dr. James Kauffman died, but they said they suspected suicide and didn’t see signs of foul play. He was found alone in his cell at the Hudson County jail, and guards checked on him when he did not respond, county spokesman James Kennelly told The Associated Press.
He had been the subject of death threats after his arrest, prompting his transfer from the Atlantic County Jail in Mays Landing, New Jersey, to the Hudson County jail, near New York City. Authorities said the switch was made for his own protection.
Prosecutors announced murder charges against James Kauffman, right, and a member of the Pagan Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in the May 2012 shooting death of April Kauffman, left.
A co-defendant in the case also is charged with trying to have Kauffman killed behind bars to prevent him from coming to trial.
Kauffman, 68, of Linwood, New Jersey, and co-defendant Ferdinand Augello, 61, of Petersburg, New Jersey, were arrested earlier this month and charged with murder in the death of Kauffman’s 47-year-old wife, a local radio talk show host who advocated for veterans and who had won a community service award from the governor days before her death.
Her daughter Kimberly Pack had no immediate comment on news of her stepfather’s death.
Atlantic County authorities said an investigation is continuing and declined further comment Friday.
Authorities say Kauffman arranged for his wife’s murder to keep her from divorcing him in 2011 and exposing a lucrative drug ring he was running with the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang through his endocrinology practice.
Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said Kauffman told Augello about his wife’s threats and solicited him to have her killed. After about a year, a man who agreed to do it, Francis Mullholland, was driven to the home, where the doors had been left open, and was given a gun, authorities said. April Kauffman was shot twice.
Mullholland, who got about $20,000 in cash, was later found dead of a drug overdose, Tyner said.
Prosecutors also have charged Augello with planning to kill James Kauffman before he can go to trial.
Kauffman and Augello have maintained their innocence. (LINK)—1/26/2018
CALIFORNIA MEDICAL BOARD RECORD—106932 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS—License Renewed & Current; Penal Code Section 23 Order; Limits on Practice
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SHASTA, ISSUED AN ORDER IN CASE NO. MCRDCRF 17-3308-02, THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA VS. DR. BENJAMIN SHETTELL, M.D. DR. SHETTELL IS PROHIBITED FROM PRACTICING MEDICINE AND ALSO FROM DIRECTLY SUPERVISING MID-LEVEL PRACTITIONERS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LICENSED PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS AND LICENSED NURSE PRACTITIONERS.
Another California Doctor Suspected of Child Sex Abuse
Authorities say another California doctor has been arrested on suspicion of sexual abusing eight minors, some of whom were his patients.
REDDING, Calif. (AP) — Another California doctor has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing children, some of whom were his patients, authorities said Thursday.
Dr. Benjamin Shettell was booked on suspicion of sexually abusing eight minors ranging from 6 to 17, Redding police said in a statement.
Police searched Shettell’s office, home and a storage unit, and found child pornography, authorities said.
Shettell is one owner of Fusion Health Care and Silhouette Medspa in Redding, a city of about 90,000 people about 150 miles north of Sacramento. His office offers family practice and other minor treatments, according to its website.
His arrest came after a brain surgeon from Santa Cruz, Dr. James Kohut, was charged with 11 counts of sexually abusing children under 14. Kohut’s attorney, Jay Rorty, has denied the allegations.
Shettell agreed to voluntarily suspend his license to practice law on June 30, according to court records and the California Medical Board.
His California medical record is otherwise clean. The medical board shows Shettell earning his medical degree from Canada’s University of British Columbia in 2009.
Police did not know if he had an attorney who could comment, and a message left at Shettell’s office was not immediately returned. (LINK)—7/06/2017
Doctor accused of having sex with at least three minors
REDDING, Calif. - A Redding doctor had his first court appearance Friday after being arrested on 50 counts of having sex with minors, including counts of oral copulation and sodomy of minors, stemming from incidents beginning in May 2016. There are three victims reported so far, and at least one was a patient, according to court documents.
Benjamin Shettell was a doctor at Fusion Healthcare in Redding. He was released from his position there after his arrest this week. His bail was set Friday at $3 million because he’s considered a flight risk.
The allegations came to light when Shettell’s ex-boyfriend, Cody Hailey sent a message out to Shettell’s coworkers that he had been having sex with multiple juvenile males in Redding.
Before his arrest, one of Shettell’s former coworkers, Mallory Walker, confirmed with investigators his ex had told her this information prior to sending out the messages to the coworkers.
Another co-worker, Rebecca Lewis, said when she asked Shettell about the allegations, he said, “I’ve had sex with a lot of people, I don’t know their ages.”
Shettell also told Lewis his name was ruined by Hailey’s claims, and he would have to return to Canada where he is a citizen or become a traveling doctor.
Friday, the judge granted a Stay Away order, meaning Shettell is not allowed near anyone under the age of 18 nor any of the victims.
Patients at Fusion Healthcare were left confused Friday after learning about Shettell’s arrest. Some were picking up prescriptions, but at least one patient who had an appointment with him was told he was out of town.
“He was wonderful, very caring individual. I’ve been battling this disease since 1993 and he’s put me in touch with the right doctors,” said Deborah White who has been Shettell’s patient since 2012. “Very friendly, very caring individual.”
White said she worked closely with him, seeing Shettell twice a month for severe Crohn’s disease. She was shocked when she learned Shettell had been arrested for sexual acts with minors.
“That doesn’t sound like Dr. Shettell at all. I’m just floored, actually I want to start crying,” White said.
White added that he was very professional during her five years of working with him.
She said Fusion Healthcare told her he was going to be out of town, but did not know he no longer worked there.
“What concerns me is with the pain management. You can’t just go to an urgent care to get your pain medications filled. I saw a lady that’s having that problem right now, it’s scary,” White said.
Despite hearing the news, White said she still stands by him.
“I’ve seen this happen to so many other individuals and stuff, and you know, I support him, and I’ll keep supporting him,” White said.
Shettell’s next court date is July 3 to discuss bail. Preliminary hearings are expected to take place later that week. (LINK)—6/23/2017
Sex case against Redding doctor grows to 81 charges
The criminal case against a Redding doctor accused of having sex with at least two underage boys is growing.
Benjamin Shettell, 39, was back in a Shasta County courtroom Monday, pleading not guilty to a criminal complaint amended by prosecutors to include 31 additional counts.
It also appears the complaint has named additional alleged victims in the case, but the prosecutor handling it could not be reached Monday for comment.
Shettell pleaded not guilty in June to 50 felonies, including oral copulation and sodomy, in connection to allegations he met and had sex with “several” boys last year, including one of his patients, according to court documents.
Shettell now has 81 criminal counts charged against him and remains in Shasta County Jail in lieu of $3 million bail.
Defense attorney Keith Cope, who is representing Shettell, said it appears the criminal complaint, which he had just recently received, includes perhaps two additional alleged victims, although he was uncertain to that number.
Shettell is due back in Shasta County Superior Court on Sept. 11 to possibly set a preliminary hearing date.
Cope earlier asked that the setting date be put off until the end of October so he has time to thoroughly study the case against his client.
“These are very serious allegations against a very reputable doctor and who is beloved in the medical community,” he said.
Shettell was a doctor at Fusion Healthcare of Redding. Cope said his client’s medical license has since been his been restricted.
Redding police investigators have said Shettell was arrested June 21 after authorities learned he’d had sex with at least three teen boys several times over the past year, according to an investigative report filed with the original criminal complaint against Shettell. (LINK)—8/28/2017
MONTANO—CALIFORNIA MEDICAL BOARD RECORD— 41718 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS—License current; no actions listed as of 6/22/2017 CAUGHT
SCHUDER—CALIFORNIA MEDICAL BOARD RECORD— 82171 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS— License current; no actions listed as of 6/22/2017 CAUGHT
2 Newport Beach doctors among six people charged in $22-million fraud scheme tied to sober-living homes
Two Newport Beach doctors are among six people facing insurance fraud charges in connection with an alleged $22-million urine test billing scheme that authorities say operated through sober-living homes in Orange County until 2014.
Dr. Carlos Montano, 61, of Newport Beach and Dr. Suzie Schuder, 70, of Corona del Mar are accused of writing unnecessary prescriptions for urine drug tests multiple times per week for employees of Compass Rose Recovery homes and affiliated businesses, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Montano is facing a felony count of conspiracy to commit medical insurance fraud, three counts of insurance fraud and possible sentencing enhancements on allegations of property damage over $3.2 million and aggravated white-collar crime over $500,000.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges Monday, according to Orange County Superior Court records. Montano is in Orange County Jail with bail set at $13.15 million. He is due back in court July 27.
Schuder is facing the same charges and a fourth count of insurance fraud, according to court records.
Schuder, who is in Orange County Jail with bail set at $3 million, is expected to be arraigned June 2 in Superior Court.
If convicted, Montano and Schuder could face 16 years and eight months and 17 years and eight months in state prison, respectively.
Prosecutors allege that Pamela Ganong, 61, of La Jolla and Philip Ganong, 63, of Bakersfield, who operated Compass Rose Recovery throughout Southern California with homes in cities including Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa, concocted a scheme to overbill insurance companies for the collection of urine for drug tests.
The Ganongs are each charged with a count of conspiracy to commit medical insurance fraud, 13 counts of insurance fraud and 26 counts of money laundering, with possible sentencing enhancements on allegations of property damage over $3.2 million, money laundering over $2.5 million and aggravated white-collar crime over $500,000. They pleaded not guilty to all charges Monday.
Authorities allege that between 2012 and 2014, the Ganongs fraudulently listed residents and non-residents of sober-living homes as employees of their four businesses — William Mae Co., Compass Rose Recovery, Compass Rose Staffing and Ghostline Labs — and expanded their health insurance policy to cover nearly 100 people, according to the district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors contend the Ganongs started Compass Rose Staffing, a temporary-labor agency, in January 2013 to act as a front for their scheme.
The Ganongs and their son William, 33, of Bakersfield are accused of submitting bills of more than $1 million to Aetna, Anthem, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare for drug testing themselves and other associates.
Pamela Ganong’s sister, Susan Lee Stinson, 63, of Carlsbad, is accused of dropping off paychecks at her sister’s sober-living facilities and sending emails to doctors hired by the Ganongs requesting urine drug test prescriptions.
Prosecutors allege the family switched insurance carriers multiple times to try to avoid being caught.
To further the scheme, prosecutors claim, the Ganongs hired Montano and Schuder, who are accused of writing urine drug prescriptions beginning at three times per week and increasing to seven times per week for most of the couple’s employees.
In exchange for the test orders, the doctors received 20% of the net insurance proceeds from the billing and a per-patient fee of $200, prosecutors say.
According to prosecutors, Ghostline Labs used sober-living home addresses in Costa Mesa as the address for the business. Prosecutors say Ghostline paid Schuder $21,784 for work in 2012 and 2013. (LINK)—5/23/2017
Case # 17CF1241, 17CF1242, 17CF1243
Date: May 23, 2017
FOUR FAMILY MEMBERS AND TWO MEDICAL DOCTORS CHARGED WITH MEDICAL INSURANCE FRAUD FOR $22 MILLION URINE TEST BILLING SCHEME AT SOBER LIVING HOMES
SANTA ANA, Calif. – Four family members and two doctors were charged last week with medical insurance fraud for a $22 million urine test billing scheme that operated through sober living homes the family owned and operated in Southern California.
Pamela Mae Ganong, 61, La Jolla Philip William Ganong, 63, Bakersfield
Felony Charges
Conspiracy to commit medical insurance fraud
13 counts of insurance fraud
26 counts of money laundering
Sentencing Enhancements
Property damage over $3.2 million
Money laundering over $2.5 million
Aggravated white collar crime over $500,000
Over $100,000 loss
Maximum Sentence
47 years and eight months in state prison
Court Date
Pre-trial hearing
July 27, 2017, 8:30 a.m.
Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana
William Ganong, 33, Bakersfield
Felony Charges
Conspiracy to commit medical insurance fraud
13 counts of insurance fraud
Sentencing Enhancements
Property damage over $3.2 million
Aggravated white collar crime over $500,000
Over $100,000 loss
Maximum Sentence
36 years and eight months in state prison
Court Date
To be determined
Susan Lee Stinson, 63, Carlsbad
Felony Charges
Conspiracy to commit medical insurance fraud
Sentencing Enhancements
Property damage over $3.2 million
Aggravated white collar crime over $500,000
Maximum Sentence
Three years in state prison
Court Date
Continued arraignment
June 2, 2017, 8:30 a.m.
Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana
Carlos X. Montano, M.D., 61, Newport Beach
Felony Charges
Conspiracy to commit medical insurance fraud
Three counts of insurance fraud
Sentencing Enhancements
Property damage over $3.2 million
Aggravated white collar crime over $500,000
Maximum Sentence
16 years and eight months in state prison
Court Date
Pre-trial hearing
July 27, 2017, 8:30 a.m.
Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana
Suzie Schuder, M.D., 70, Corona Del Mar
Felony Charges
Conspiracy to commit medical insurance fraud
Four counts of insurance fraud
Sentencing Enhancements
Property damage over $3.2 million
Aggravated white collar crime over $500,000
Maximum Sentence
17 years and eight months in state prison
Court Date
Continued arraignment
June 2, 2017, 8:30 a.m.
Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana
Circumstances of the Case
Between January 2008 and December 2016, defendants Pamela and Philip Ganong owned sober living homes in Orange County, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and San Diego, through their business William Mae Company, which operated as Compass Rose Recovery (Compass).
In December 2011, the Ganongs are accused of forming a medical testing lab called Ghostline Labs (Ghostline).
Sober living residents at Compass were recruited by other Compass residents through Craigslist and by word of mouth.
In 2012, William Mae Company/Compass had 12 employees registered on the company’s payroll and health insurance policy.
The Ganongs are accused of fraudulently listing residents and non-residents of Compass as employees and expanding their health insurance policy to cover almost 100 employees.
In January 2013, the Ganongs are accused of starting a temporary labor agency, Compass Rose Staffing, enrolling some residents and non-residents on the payroll, and requiring daily or frequent urine drug testing as a term and condition of employment.
The Ganongs are accused of starting Compass Rose Staffing as a front to overbill insurance companies for the collection and testing of urine.
Between 2012 and 2014, the Ganongs are accused of registering fraudulent employees on all four of their payrolls: William Mae Company, Compass Rose Recovery, Compass Rose Staffing, and Ghostline Labs, and submitting daily or frequent urine drug test samples for each employee under each company’s health insurance plan.
The Ganongs are accused of paying minimal compensation to those enrolled as employees, not collecting co-pays or deductibles for the urine tests, and providing free rent as a kickback for submitting the urine samples.
Defendant Stinson, Pamela Ganong’s sister, is accused of routinely dropping off paychecks at the Ganong’s sober living facilities, and sending emails to doctors hired by the Ganongs requesting urine drug test prescriptions.
Phillip and Pamela Ganong are accused of committing insurance fraud by submitting claims for urine drug testing done by Ghostline for sober living residents and employees of the Ganongs for either services not covered, not rendered, or not medically necessary.
The Ganongs are also accused of submitting bills for high complexity urine tests which Ghostline did not possess the proper certification to perform and sending them to another lab for confirmation testing, despite negative preliminary test results.
Pamela, Philip, and their son William Ganong are accused of submitting bills in excess of $1 million dollars for drug testing themselves and close associates.
The defendants are accused of changing insurance carriers four times to avoid detection, submitting bills to Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, and United Health Care, and continuing to submit bills for urine drug testing themselves.
To further the scheme, the Ganongs are accused of hiring two medical doctors, defendants Montano and Schuder, who are accused of writing urine drug prescriptions starting at three times per week and increasing to seven times per week for most of the Ganongs’ employees.
The doctors are accused of writing unnecessary urine test orders in exchange for 20 percent of the net insurance proceeds from urine drug testing billing and a per-patient fee of $200, in violation of law. Both Montano and Schuder are accused of knowing that Ghostline was owned by the Ganongs, who were not medical providers.
Defendant Schuder is accused of acting as the Lab Director for Ghostline before the company existed, using a sober living home addresses in Costa Mesa as Ghostline’s address. She is accused of being paid $21,784 between 2012 and 2013 by Ghostline.
In addition, when the Ghostline became the subject of audits with Anthem and Aetna, the Ganongs are accused of changing the company’s name to Brown Laboratories and continuing to bill for fraudulent urine drug testing.
The defendants are accused of billing approximately $22 million to the four insurance companies and subsequently collecting $15 million.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.
Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Hope Callahan, Insurance Fraud Unit (LINK)—5/23/2017
BLUFFTON — A Bluffton doctor has been suspended from practicing medicine after he admitted to engaging in sexual misconduct with at least five of his patients.
Dr. James A. Gideon, a rheumatology and internal medicine physician, was ordered to “immediately cease the practice of medicine and surgery” at a recent meeting with the State Medical Board of Ohio. The Board found “clear and convincing evidence” that Gideon violated the Ohio Revised Code, and that his continued practice would present a “danger of immediate and serious harm to the public.”
The Board’s decision to suspend Gideon’s medical license came after Gideon admitted to sexual misconduct with multiple patients between September 2013 and May 2017. He has been charged with three counts of sexual imposition from incidents that occurred on May 5 and 10. Gideon will make his first court appearance June 30 in Lima Municipal Court.
According to medical records, Gideon told a Board investigator that he unnecessarily touched the breasts of three patients in the course of treating adjacent areas of the body. He admitted to the investigator that he “knowingly touched the nipple/areola area in a manner that was not medically necessary.”
Gideon described a more specific encounter with a patient that occurred on May 5. He explained that the patient fell asleep for about five minutes, and during that time his hand “inappropriately went across her nipple probably a dozen times,” and that he kissed her shoulder. When she awoke, he apologized for being “too touchy.”
When discussing disrobing practices, Gideon admitted “it would have been appropriate to have the patients in a gown or have a witness present.” He furthered admitted that he gained some sort of gratification from patients disrobing in front of him.
During an appointment with another patient on May 4, Gideon said he pinched her nipple and used an ungloved hand to move her breast. He also admitted to rubbing his hand on her buttocks, hugging her while she was disrobed and rubbed her exposed shoulders, back and legs, despite her protests that she did not like the way he was touching her.
Another admission made by Gideon included rubbing a third patient’s lower back, sides, abdomen and buttocks while making comments that made her feel uncomfortable. Further admissions centered around unnecessarily touching a fourth patient’s breasts, nipples and areolas, and grabbing a fifth patient’s inner thigh. These incidents occurred between March and May.
Along with suspending his medical license, the Board may also impose a civil penalty in an amount that shall not exceed $20,000. Gideon has 30 days to a request a hearing concerning these matters, though it is unclear if he will do so. If he does not request a hearing, the Board will determine whether or not to limit, revoke, permanently revoke, suspend, refuse to register or reinstate his certificate to practice medicine and surgery. (LINK)—6/22/2017
Bluffton doctor convicted on 3 counts
LIMA — Jurors today found James Gideon, a former Bluffton rheumatologist, guilty on three counts of sexual imposition, and not guilty of two other counts after a four-day trial in Lima Municipal Court.
The charges are misdemeanors. A sentencing date has not been set.
Jurors began deliberations at 11:35 a.m. today and returned the verdict about 4 p.m.
Gideon was accused of sexually assaulting several women at his medical practice. His medical license was suspended by the state last year.
In closing arguments this morning, Assistant Lima City Prosecutor Philip Germann listed the complaints and testimony of the five women who said that Gideon had sexually assaulted them. The women accused Gideon of touching their breasts, genitals and anus. One woman said she passed out during her appointment and woke to find Gideon kissing her shoulder and rubbing her nipple.
Defense counsel Dennis Belli argued in his closing statement that the women’s testimony was mostly uncorroborated. He questioned the credibility of several of the patients, noting that one woman had mixed up the dates of her appointment with the doctor.
He also suggested that two of the women, who are friends, may have made up a story between them, and that the woman who passed out may have simply fallen asleep and was dreaming.
“This case and your verdict is the most important thing in my client’s life,” Belli told the jurors.
Gideon shook his head several times while prosecutors argued in favor of convictions. The female patients, who were allowed in the courtroom for closing arguments, appeared upset at several times during the defense arguments, especially as their credibility was questioned.
The trial was covered by Courier crime reporter Eileen McClory. (LINK)—4/21/2018
Former Bluffton doctor gets jail time, will appeal
LIMA — Former Bluffton doctor James Gideon was sentenced Friday to 180 days in jail and ordered to pay a $500 fine following his convictions last month on three counts of sexual imposition, all misdemeanors.
He must also register as a Tier I sex offender, the least severe level. Gideon’s lawyer, Dennis Belli, has filed a notice of appeal. Gideon’s sentence will be deferred until the appeal is complete.
Gideon was initially accused by seven women in Lima Municipal Court of sexually molesting them while the women were patients at his doctor’s office in Bluffton, Northwest Ohio Rheumatology.
Two of the counts were eventually dismissed, and a jury convicted Gideon on three of the remaining counts last month.
Gideon spoke at his sentencing.
“I am deeply sorry for the pain and anger I have heard expressed,” Gideon said. He added, “I’ve committed my life to medicine. I’ve committed everything I’ve got.” One of the women Gideon was convicted of molesting said she now fears visits to doctors.
“Every doctor I see now, I have to sit and shake and have panic attacks because I no longer trust people who say they are there to help me,” the woman said.
A second woman told the judge overseeing the case that Gideon abused her for over a year, and used her past to manipulate her. The abuse did not occur over a small period of time, as the defendant claimed at his trial, the woman said.
Gideon said during his trial that he was ill and tired during May and June 2017, when most of the incidents that went to trial occurred, and said he may not have taken proper precautions because of illness.
Lima Municipal Court Judge Tammie Hursh said she had seen a pattern of reckless behavior by Gideon, noting that Gideon did not use gloves or have another person in the room when asking patients to disrobe.
Hursh also said Gideon’s account, that the incidents with women patients were accidents, did not make sense.
“I simply do not believe that you understand the gravity of these offenses,” Hursh said before sentencing Gideon to the maximum sentence allowed under Ohio law.
Gideon’s medical license has been suspended, according to the State Medical Board of Ohio.
Several civil cases claiming malpractice are pending against Gideon in Allen County. (LINK)—5/12/2018
CITATIONS:
10/11/17 CITATION - Based on allegations that with respect to three specified patients, the doctor engaged in sexual misconduct in violation of the Board’s rules, to wit: Rule 4731-26-02, Ohio Administrative Code and that he departed from, or the failure to conform to, minimal standards of care of similar practitioners under the same or similar circumstances, whether or not actual injury to a patient is established. Notice of Opportunity for Hearing mailed 10/12/17.
09/13/17 CITATION - Based on allegations that doctor engaged in sexual misconduct with eleven specified patients, which violate Board rules regarding sexual misconduct and constitute a departure from or a failure to conform to minimal standards of care of similar practitioners under the same or similar circumstances, whether or not actual injury to a patient is established. Notice of Opportunity for Hearing mailed 9/14/17.
06/14/17 CITATION - Based on allegations that when doctor engaged in sexual misconduct with five specified patients, the doctor: violated or attempted to violate, directly or indirectly, or assisted in or abetted the violation of, or conspired to violate the Board’s rules on sexual misconduct with patients; and departed from or failed to conform to minimal standards of care of similar practitioners under the same or similar circumstances, whether or not actual injury to a patient is established. Notice of Opportunity for hearing mailed 6/15/2017.
06/14/17 PRE-HEARING SUSPENSION - Pursuant to Section 4731.22(G), medical license summarily suspended based on Board’s determination that there is clear and convincing evidence that doctor is in violation of Section 4731.22(B)(20), Ohio Revised Code, to wit: Rule 4731-26-02, Ohio Administrative Code, and that his continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public. Order effective 6/14/17.
CALIFORNIA MEDICAL BOARD RECORD— 102166 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS—License renewed and current: no actions listed as of 6/05/17 CAUGHT
Doctor Sued: Patient accuses San Marcos dermatologist of sex assault
SAN MARCOS (NEWS 8) - A 22-year-old San Diego has filed a lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente claiming her dermatologist sexually assaulted her.
The woman identified only as “Jannette Doe” alleges that Dr. Stephan Kempiak sexually assaulted her at his San Marcos office on at least six occasions.
According to the lawsuit, the abuse took place from the summer of 2015 to July 2016.
Attorney Shawn Tillis, who is representing “Jannette Doe”, said Doe saw Dr. Kempiak to help treat a painful skin condition near her genital area.
Dr. Kempiak was suppose to help treat an ingrown hair, but instead, according to Doe, on at least six occasions up until July 2016, he would grab and fondle her butt, breasts and private parts.
Doe alleges Dr. Kempiak digitally penetrated her for several minutes and took photographs of her pubic area with his cellphone.
“Apparently, this guy saw that he could take advantage of her, which he happened to be right about. She expected someone else to be in the room if it was going to get that involved. He kept assuring her that everything he was doing was medically necessary,” said Tillis.
The complaint alleges that Dr. Kempiak played with Doe’s breasts - sometimes rubbing them in a circle - telling her he needed her to “sweat.”
“She did request a female doctor because she started to get uncomfortable, and even though she wanted to trust the doctor, she thought ‘if it’s going to be like this then, at least I want a woman to do it,’” said Tillis.
Jannette Doe alleges the visits got progressively worse, but another female staff member said she should stick with the same doctor.
Tillis said the victim comes from a history of sexual abuse and believes other victims are out there.
According to Tillis, his client became so depressed she almost took her own life.
“But for a suicide hotline operator, she probably would have gone through with it. She was pretty disgusted with herself and she did not want to live at that point,” said Tillis.
A statement from Kaiser Permanente said:
“We cannot discuss the details of this matter due to privacy laws. However, regarding these allegations, the physician vehemently denies the accusation. In addition, we have completed an extensive internal investigation, and were unable to substantiate these accusations.”
News 8 reached out to Dr. Kempiak, who said he would call back, but as of this writing has not contacted News 8 with a statement or comment.
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