MEDIA
Sam Castellani, Nashville psychiatrist, arrested in sex-for-prescription case
The City Paper (Nashville, Tennessee) Psychiatrist accused in sex-for-presciptions case bound over to grand jury October 8, 2009 A Nashville psychiatrist accused of writing prescriptions for patients in exchange for sexual favors appeared in court Thursday where he waived rights to a preliminary hearing and was bound over to the grand jury. Attorneys for Dr. Settimio "Sam" Castellani, 67, of Brentwood, say their client will plead not guilty in front of the grand jury. Castellani was arrested by Metro Police in June after investigating a patient's claim that the doctor forcibly asked for sexual acts before giving her prescription medication, [...]
Juan Fernandez III, Wisconsin Psychiatrist, sued by patient who was awarded more than $860,000 by a jury
The Washington Times 'Recovered-memory' suit yields large jury award By Cheryl Wetzstein September 04, 1999 Psychiatrist Juan Fernandez III A Wisconsin woman who accused her psychiatrist of making her think she had dozens of multiple personalities and had been sexually abused by her father was awarded more than $860,000 by a jury this week. The medical malpractice case was hailed as a victory for those who believe that "recovered-memory" therapy is false and destructive. "This is a vindication (that) this craziness was not her fault," said William Smoler, the attorney who represented Joan Hess, 47, of Wausau, Wis., in [...]
Christian Hageseth III, Colorado (and California) Psychiatrist, sentenced to jail for “practicing medicine without a license”
Fort Collins Coloradoan (Colorado) Psychiatrist gets 9 months on Internet drug charge By Nate Taylor April 18, 2009 Former Fort Collins psychiatrist Christian Hageseth III was sentenced to nine months in jail Friday in a California court after he pleaded guilty earlier this year to practicing medicine without a license. Hageseth admitted he prescribed an antidepressant to John McKay, a former Stanford University student, over the Internet in 2005 without a license to practice medicine in California. A judge in San Mateo County Court could have sentenced Hageseth to up to one year in jail. Instead Hageseth was sentenced to [...]
Vancouver Psychiatrist John Christensen sued by eight women – alleged inappropriate sex acts
Vancouver Sun Eight women sue Vancouver psychiatrist over alleged inappropriate sex acts By Keith Fraser June 7, 2018 Psychiatrist John Christensen Eight women who provided care for a disabled Vancouver psychiatrist are alleging that he told them to perform inappropriate sex acts for him. Seven of the women were hired as personal-care aides by Dr. John Allan James Christensen and one of them was hired as a live-in caregiver. Christensen, who has been a quadriplegic for 20 years and claims to suffer from chronic pain, advertised the positions on Craigslist and UBC CareersOnline. The women, many of whom were [...]
Van Batchis, Massachusetts Psychiatrist, admonished and fined for failure to respond to complaints
Board of Registration in Medicine: Disciplinary actions August 12, 1996 As a service to consumers, the Health/Science section is listing the names of Massachusetts-licensed health professionals disciplined by state boards. In each case, the listing shows the person's specialty, place of practice or residence, charges brought by the board and board action. Excerpt: Dr. Van Batchis Psychiatrist Brockton Charges: Failed to respond to correspondence from Board of Registration in Medicine regarding two pending complaints. Board action: Admonished and fined $ 3,000.
Chip Fountain, Tennessee Psychiatrist, charged with “being sexually involved with a former juvenile female patient.”
Herald-Citizen (Cookeville, Tennessee) Psychiatrist accused of statutory rape By Mary Jo Denton June 10, 2008 CROSSVILLE -- A Cookeville doctor who has offices here and in other towns has been arrested on two counts of statutory rape by an authority figure. Dr. Chip Hayward Fountain, 44, a psychiatrist, was indicted by the Cumberland County grand jury in May after a lengthy investigation which included the Department of Children's Services, the district attorney's staff, and the Cumberland Sheriff's Department. Cumberland County authorities said Fountain is charged with "being sexually involved with a former juvenile female patient." District Attorney Tony Craighead said [...]
Ajaz Iqbal, Vermont Psychiatrist – “allegedly had sex during an initial counseling session with a woman who was having trouble trusting men”
The Burlington Free Press (Burlington, VT) Psychiatrist's license suspended April 4, 2002 MONTPELIER The state has suspended the license of a St. Albans psychiatrist after he allegedly had sex during an initial counseling session with a woman who was having trouble trusting men. The Medical Practice Board voted unanimously Wednesday to authorize an emergency suspension of the license of Dr. Ajaz Iqbal, a Harvard-trained physician. Such suspensions are rare, called for only in cases in which the public is seen to be in danger from a physician. Iqbal, 41, did not respond to a request for comment. Amy Sylvester, an [...]
Byron Braid, Pennsylvania psychiatrist accused of sexually abusing woman in his care
The Philadelphia Inquirer Therapist's trial ends in dismissal; Byron Braid was accused of sexual abuse. The allegations came too late, a judge found By Kathleen Brady Shea November 29, 2001 A Chester County judge this week dismissed a malpractice case against a psychiatrist who had been accused of sexually abusing a woman in his care, saying the statute of limitations had expired. Chester County Court Judge Thomas G. Gavin ruled on Tuesday, the second day of the jury trial of Byron Braid, that the statute of limitations had expired on allegations made by former patient Sarahkate Lohmann. Gavin said the [...]
Herman Zeidman, Florida, 50 years as a psychiatrist, busted for “hypnotizing” an undercover cop and fondling her breasts
The Miami Herald POLICE SAY PSYCHIATRIST FONDLED UNDERCOVER COP By Donna Leinwand Herald Staff Writer June 5, 1993 Psychiatrist Herman Zeidman A 77-year-old psychiatrist who allegedly hypnotized his female patients so he could fondle their breasts was arrested Friday by an undercover police officer who pretended to fall under his spell. Pompano Beach police charged Dr. Herman Zeidman of 3100 Estates Dr., Pompano Beach, with one count of simple battery after he allegedly touched the breasts of the undercover officer, Sgt. Tony Lanza said. If convicted, Zeidman could spend up to a year in jail, Lanza said. Police also [...]
Delaware Psych Gregory Villabona – prosecutors are seeking to revoke his license for prescribing drugs to an addict who later died by heroin overdose
The News Journal 'Egregious misconduct' could cost Dover psychiatrist Villabona his license Christina Jedra May 29, 2018 Psychiatrist Gregory VillaBona Delaware prosecutors are seeking to revoke the professional licenses of a Dover psychiatrist who they allege prescribed controlled substances to an addict who later died by heroin overdose, traded medical treatment for guns and is "unable to practice medicine safely, professionally or ethically." Gregory Villabona, whose license has been on and off probation for 15 years, could lose his licenses to practice medicine and prescribe controlled substances. On Monday, Villabona attended the first of several administrative hearings that [...]
Cesar Ruiz, Tampa Psychiatrist – reprimanded – accused of submitting bills to Medicaid for patient visits he didn’t make
St. Petersburg Times (Florida) Three doctors get reprimands from state By CAROL GENTRY April 4, 1987 Excerpt: TAMPA - A well-known St. Petersburg doctor and two Tampa psychiatrists were reprimanded Friday by the state medical board. ... The Tampa psychiatrists who received reprimands were Drs. Cesar L.Ruiz and Luis O. Byrne. Ruiz was accused of submitting bills to Medicaid for patient visits he didn't make. After Medicaid caught the discrepancy, Ruiz was sent through a pretrial intervention program rather than prosecuted in court, according to DPR records. Ruiz's attorney, James Alfonso of Tampa, said Ruiz's secretary mistakenly billed for visits [...]
Enrique Friedman, California Psychiatrist – License Revoked – repeatedly suggested to a victim of sexual abuse that she buy a sex toy
San Bernardino Sun (California) Hesperia psychiatrist loses license after woman's complaints By Joe Nelson August 17, 2010 The Medical Board of California has revoked the license of a Hesperia psychiatrist who repeatedly suggested to a victim of sexual abuse that she buy a sex toy to fulfill her sexual needs. The board revoked the medical license of Enrique Jaime Friedman, 71, on Aug. 12. He prescribed medication for a woman suffering from anxiety and depression in 2006 and 2007 while working part time for Lutheran Social Services of Southern California in Big Bear Lake. A 14-page decision by the board [...]
Albert Pike, Mass. Psychiatrist, “your neighborhood drug pusher”; accused of running a pill mill and was convicted
The Boston Herald 'Drug pusher' doctor to be sentenced in Medicaid fraud By PAUL SULLIVAN December 2, 1997 A Leominster psychiatrist, who once introduced himself as "your neighborhood drug pusher," will be sentenced in court tomorrow in connection with Medicaid fraud. "What he did was prescribe addictive drugs to drug addicts," said Peter Clark, who prosecuted the case for the Medicaid Fraud Unit of the office of the state attorney general. "He'd prescribe on the first visit and every subsequent visit. With a couple of exceptions these people never left without a prescription in their pockets," Clark said. The psychiatrist, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
Edward H. Williams, Alienist, One of the Founders of the AMA, convicted of drug charges (November 18, 1934)
Alienist* - former term for psychiatrist SALT LAKE TRIBUNE FAMED DOCTOR FACES PRISON Medical Society Founder, Alienist* Convicted in Drug Charge November 18, 1934 Los Angeles, (UPI) Psychiatrist Edward H. Williams Dr. Edward H. Williams, noted psychiatrist and one of the founders of the American Medical association, today faced a maximum sentence of five years in a federal penitentiary following his conviction on charges of violation of the Harrison narcotic act. A jury in federal court convicted the noted alienist on one of the counts contained in an indictment growing out of asserted prescriptions for drugs. Dr. F.T. Cary [...]
James Watt, NY Psychiatrist – his “gas therapy” killed a patient – pleaded guilty to homicide
Midland Daily News New York Psychiatrist Pleads Guilty April 23, 2002 Psychiatrist James Watt A psychiatrist whose "gas therapy" killed a patient last year pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and agreed to stop practicing medicine in a deal that will keep him out prison. James Watt, 73, admitted that he caused the death of Leah Grove, 38, in his office on April 19, 2001. In exchange for pleading guilty Tuesday and giving up his medical license, Watt got a sentence of conditional discharge, a form of court-supervised probation. Watt had been treating Grove for mild depression. His plea [...]