MEDIA
Edit Esther Pusztai, Kamloops Psychiatrist, reprimanded for engaging in unprofessional conduct by maintaining a personal relationship with a patient
Infonews.ca Kamloops psychiatrist reprimanded for relationship with patient By Ashley Legassic May 28, 2018 KAMLOOPS - A Kamloops psychiatrist has been reprimanded for engaging in unprofessional conduct by maintaining a personal relationship with a patient. Dr. Edit Esther Pusztai admitted to failing to maintain professional boundaries with a patient, according to a public notification by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. Pusztai allowed the patient to do work in her home, met with the patient and the patient's family socially, exchanged gifts with the patient, had phone conversations with the patient about matters unrelated to medical care, went [...]
David Roemer, NY psychiatrist, sentenced to prison for selling drugs on the black market
The Associated Press May 13, 2004 Psychiatrist sentenced for selling prescriptions Dateline: High Falls, NY A former psychiatrist was sentenced to more than three years in prison for selling prescriptions for OxyContin, Percocet and Xanax to Medicaid recipients for sale on the black market. David Roemer, 44, of High Falls, was one of 34 people indicted in November 2003 on charges of grand larceny, conspiracy and drug sales and possession. Court documents state that four Bronx residents recruited Medicaid recipients from the streets and drug treatment centers in New York City. Prosecutors said the recruits went to Roemer's mid-Hudson Valley [...]
Joel Hanson, Utah Psychiatrist – accused of posing as a photographer and secretly videotaping models as they undressed – sentenced to 30 days in jail
The Associated Press June 22, 2000 Former mental health officials sentenced to jail Psychiatrist Joel Hanson Psychiatrist Joel W. Hanson, the former Davis County mental health director accused of posing as a photographer and secretly videotaping models as they undressed, has been sentenced to 30 days in jail. Second District Judge Pam Heffernan this week also ordered Hanson to continue his therapy with his private counselor, attend a weekly sex offender group therapy program, attend sex addicts anonymous and participate in an "intensive community sex-offender program." Hanson, 39, Centerville, was arrested July 22, about three weeks after two 21-year-old [...]
Sami Michael, Ohio Psychiatrist, convicted of health care fraud
The Associated Press Psychiatrist convicted of health care fraud July 23, 1999 A psychiatrist accused of showing patients movies and billing health insurance programs for the sessions as psychotherapy has been convicted of 42 counts of health care fraud. A federal jury on Thursday convicted Dr. Sami I. Michael, 63, of Steubenville, with seven counts of mail fraud and 35 counts of making false statements to health insurance programs. Each charge against Michael carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $ 250,000. A sentencing date was not announced. Michael was accused of [...]
William Weeks, New Hampshire Psychiatrist – Federal prosecutors allege financial shenanigans
The Associated Press VA doctor accused of conflict of interest By Lisa Rathke May 12, 2009 Federal prosecutors have filed conflict of interest charges against a VA hospital psychiatrist, alleging that he supervised contracts in which he had a financial interest. Dr. William Weeks of Lyme, N.H., is accused of misconduct in five contracts between the White River Junction VA hospital and Dartmouth College. He acted as both a VA representative responsible for approving payments to Dartmouth and as Dartmouth's principal investigator performing work on the contracts, prosecutors say. If convicted of the misdemeanor charges, he faces a year in [...]
MARIA PALAZZO, New Orleans Psychiatrist, already serving prison time for fraud – then pleads guilty to more fraud
States News Service JAILED PSYCHIATRIST PLEADS GUILTY AND IS SENTENCED ON CHARGES OF FALSIFIED RECORDS OF CLINICAL TRIALS INVOLVING CHILDREN August 19, 2010 The following information was released by the New Orleans Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation: DR. MARIA CARMEN PALAZZO, age 58, pled guilty in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to 15 counts of failing to prepare and maintain records, with intent to defraud and mislead, in connection with clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Paxil in children and adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), announced U.S. Attorney Jim [...]
Melvin Pisetzner, Penfield, NY Psychiatrist, charged with patronizing a prostitute, a 19-year-old male former patient
WHEC-TV Rochester, New York Psychiatrist Melvin Pisetzner A 67-year-old Penfield man has been arrested and charged with patronizing a prostitute in the third-degree. The investigation that led to the arrest of Melvin Pisetzner began when a 19-year-old male told police he had met Pisetzner in an online chat. Police say Pisetzner posed as a 55-year-old man and offered to pay the teen a sum of money to participate in a sex act with him. The 19-year-old is a former patient of Pisetzner – a psychiatrist, but police do not believe Pisetzner knew that at the time of their online [...]
Aubrey Levin – Courtroom psychiatrist charged in sex assault
CBC News Dr. Aubrey Levin, a Calgary psychiatrist who has worked extensively with justice officials on criminal cases, has been charged with sexual assault. March 24, 2010 Psychiatrist Aubrey Levin Police say a 36-year-old man, one of Levin\'s long-term patients, alleges he was sexually assaulted repeatedly by Levin over a period of time. Levin, 71, has regularly testified in court cases as an expert in forensic psychiatry, a factor that could widen the investigation, police said. "He is very well known in the justice community," said police spokesperson Kevin Brookwell. "Through both the solicitor general's office and Alberta Health [...]
Psychiatrist Steven C. Wein, Las Vegas – charged with masturbating in a casino elevator
Las Vegas Review-Journal Suspect in lewdness case ordered held without bail Suspect accused of trying to set fire at residence of accusers By FRANCIS MCCABE May 6, 2010 Psychiatrist Steven Wein A Las Vegas psychiatrist charged with masturbating in a Strip casino elevator is being held without bail after a district judge learned he might have tried to intimidate witnesses in the case. Dr. Steven C. Wein was riding in a Monte Carlo hotel elevator with three female Arizona State University students about 6 a.m. Nov. 1 when he exposed himself in the confined space, authorities said. Wein then [...]
David Drew Pinsky, CNN psychiatrist “Dr. Drew” got $275K From Drug Company
CNN Headline News host Dr. Drew Pinsky has come under fire for allegedly taking payments from pharmaceutical company Glaxo to talk up the pharmaceutical company’s anti-depressant drug, Wellbutrin, without revealing he was being paid by the company. Fox News Feds: Dr. Drew got $275K from pharmaceutical company to promote anti-depressant's sex effects, report says By Hollie McKay July 05, 2012 Psychiatry Professor Drew Pinsky The Wall Street Journal reports that Pinksy – a board-certified internist and addiction medicine specialist – was included in a complaint filed by the U.S. government in federal court last October against the pharmaceutical company. [...]