MEDIA
Colin Bouwer, Murderous New Zealand Psychiatrist Denied Parole at First hearing in 15 years- slowly poisoned his wife to death
stuff.co.nz Convicted murderer Colin Bouwer denied parole, Privy Council appeal likely By Hamish McNeilly September 18 2015 Psychiatrist Colin Bouwer The psychiatrist who slowly poisoned his wife to death has been denied parole at his first hearing in 15 years. Colin Bouwer will spend another year in prison before being deported - but not before an appeal against his murder conviction is lodged. The South African-born psychiatrist was convicted of murder after he slowly poisoned his wife Annette Bouwer, 47, who died at their Dunedin home in January 2000. Annette Bouwer was poisoned by her husband and died [...]
William Munn, California psychiatrist, license was suspended for prescribing large amounts of commonly abused prescription drugs to multiple patients – some of whom were known substance abusers
Daily Republic Fairfield psychiatrist signs disciplinary pact By Ryan McCarthy September 19, 2015 FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield psychiatrist whose license was temporarily suspended for the manner in which he prescribed drugs to five patients has reached a settlement with the state. Dr. William Munn signed the settlement and disciplinary order Aug. 31 and agreed to be bound by the California Medical Board’s decision. The agreement is subject to state review, after which the document will become public. The agreement canceled an Oakland hearing scheduled to start Sept. 8 before an administrative law judge. Munn, in private practice since 1972 at [...]
Marc Weinbaum, Ocala, Florida psychiatrist, fined $5,000 by Department of Health for medical malpractice
Ocala Star Banner Ocala psychiatrist fined $5,000 after jail inmate's suicide By Nicki Gorny September 17, 2015 An Ocala psychiatrist has been fined $5,000 for medical malpractice after a man brought to The Vines Hospital in 2012 for evaluation later committed suicide at the Marion County Jail. Marc Weinbaum, the psychiatrist, is being disciplined by the Florida Board of Medicine for failing to evaluate 69-year-old John Edward Hummel for suicide risk. The Department of Health opened an investigation on Nov. 30, 2012, about two months after the suicide, said Brad Dalton, deputy press secretary for the department. The final order, [...]
Alexander Sharah, Aussie Psychiatrist, Suspended Two Years “for encouraging his patients to explore religion to ease their mental health problems”
Sydney Morning Herald Psychiatrist Alex Sharah, who compared lesbians to paedophiles, disqualified By Stephanie Gardiner September 23, 2015 Psychiatrist Alex Sharah A mother who had a stillborn baby was spoken to about abortion, a Muslim woman was blessed with holy water, an alcoholic was advised to connect with Jesus and a depressed young woman was told to pray. Psychiatrist Alexander Anthony Sharah, 80, has been disqualified from registering as a medical practitioner after inappropriate treatment of patients, having also compared lesbians to paedophiles, because both "don't know that they are doing something wrong so we still have to love [...]
UK Psychiatrist Joseph Bray Suspended – Father-of-two cheated on his wife with patient, says “Men aren’t biologically programmed for monogamy” and the expectation of fidelity in marriage is “unreasonable”
Daily Mail Father-of-two psychiatrist cheated on his wife with patient after telling another: 'Men aren't biologically programmed for monogamy' By Hannah Parry September 1, 2015 Psychiatrist Joseph Bray A married psychiatrist who had sex with a patient before telling another 'When my wife dies, I will s**g as many women as I can' has kept his job. Father-of-two Dr Joseph Bray, 57, claimed during consultations with one woman that 'Men aren't biologically programmed for monogamy.' He was later treating a 'psychologically vulnerable' patient at The Priory Hospital in Southampton when he began stroking her hair and kissing her head, [...]
Robert Soper, California Child Psychiatrist loses computer with information on 2000 “patients”
Times Standard News Psychiatrist’s computer with patient information stolen By Hunter Cresswell September 2, 2015 Psychiatrist Robert Soper A law firm representing Eureka psychiatrist Dr. Robert Soper notified around 2,000 patients, dating back to 2000, on Aug. 26 about the theft of Soper’s old computer which contained patient names, some phone numbers, clinical notes and emails. Christian Koster, an attorney from the Schuering Zimmerman & Doyle law firm, said no addresses, insurance information or Social Security numbers were stored on the computer, and all information was protected by two passwords in software that is no longer on the computer. [...]
Alfonso Guzman, Puerto Rican psychiatrist, Gets Prison Time – Prescribed Drugs to Undercover Agent who repeatedly said he had no physical or mental symptoms
Google Translation above, original Spanish version below. Primera Hora Federal sentence of two years in prison psychiatrist Alfonso Madrid By Mariana Cobian September 8, 2015 The doctor issued false to the Office of Workers' Compensation Program medical reports. Psychiatrist Alfonso Guzman "I want to say that I admire him as a professional. But I admire him as a witness in this case." So Federal Judge Daniel R. Dominguez concluded the sentencing against Madrid psychiatrist Alfonso Guzman, who imposed a prison sentence of two years by issuing false medical reports to the Office of Workers' Compensation Program today, Tuesday ( [...]
Jopinda Harika, Penn. Psychiatrist, pleads guilty to Medicaid Fraud – Sentencing in October
Reading Eagle Psychiatrist who practiced in Reading admits he committed Medicaid fraud September 11, 2015 Psychiatrist Jopindar Harika An Allegheny County psychiatrist who practiced in Reading pleaded guilty Thursday to committing Medicaid fraud and practicing and writing prescriptions while his medical license was suspended. Dr. Jopinda R. Harika, 62, of Monroeville entered an open guilty plea before Judge Scott D. Keller to medical assistance claim fraud, tampering with public records and unlawful prescribing as a practitioner. Harika's sentencing was deferred until October. Harika was charged by the attorney general's office in February. Senior Deputy Attorney General Elizabeth M. Madigan [...]
John Smith, North Carolina jail psychiatrist, sued by wife of inmate who died from “benzodiazepines withdrawal”
Winston-Salem Journal Wife sues Sheriff Schatzman, county over husband's death at Forsyth jail By Michael Hewlett August 13th, 2015 A lawsuit alleges that Forsyth County Jail officials ignored Dino Vann Nixon’s worsening mental and physical condition over a period of three weeks until his death on Aug. 5, 2013. Nixon, who was arrested July 11, 2013, on drug trafficking charges, had taken several prescription drugs, including Xanax, a benzodiazepine medication, for years before his arrest and told jail officials about the medication. Jail officials, according to the lawsuit, refused to provide the medication to Nixon and failed to pay attention [...]
Theodore F. Jasper, NJ psychiatrist, has signed a “cease and desist” order to stop “treating” patients until State decides what to do with him – alleged sex with patient
The Record Clifton psychiatrist who allegedly had sex with bipolar patient agrees to suspend his practice By JEAN RIMBACH August 14, 2015 Psychiatrist Theodore Jasper, 1010 Clifton Ave # 102, Clifton, NJ 07013 A Clifton psychiatrist facing a claim he had a sexual relationship with a longtime patient with bipolar disorder has agreed to stop practicing medicine under a temporary deal struck this week with the state board that licenses and disciplines physicians. Dr. Theodore F. Jasper has signed a “cease and desist” order that calls for him to stop treating patients until Oct. 14, when the Board of [...]
Pralay Mazumdar, Aussie Psychiatrist, Ripped off $44,000 from Victoria, (State in Australia) “may result in the end of his career”
The Age Psychiatrist faces professional ruin for defrauding Victorian WorkCover Authority of $44,000 By Steve Butcher August 28, 2015 Psychiatrist Pralay Mazumdar A psychiatrist with a 38-year unblemished career faces professional ruin for defrauding the Victorian WorkCover Authority of $44,000 described by a judge as "systematic rorting" for greed. Pralay Mazumdar's offending included providing false information that caused an inpatient to spend more time in hospital than was necessary for which the doctor received $1500. Dr Mazumdar, 61, committed the offences over an 18-month period from March 2012 at a 54-bed psychiatric drug and alcohol hospital in Dandenong where [...]
Particularly damaging to the reputation of psychiatry
“Sexual misconduct is particularly damaging to the reputation of psychiatry because the damages to patients which result are mental and emotional in nature. If psychiatry loses the confidence of society, its ability to pursue its mission will be damaged.” The Board of Trustees of the American Psychiatric Association approved this message in March of 1993.
Susan Turner, NY Psychiatrist – “NY Post: “persuaded the drugged-up woman to make her the beneficiary of her $7 million will before she died” Now faces lawsuit by woman’s brother
New York Post Shrink convinced patient to be her lover, write her into $7M will: docs By Julia Marsh July 29, 2015 A Manhattan shrink turned the doctor’s maxim “Do no harm” on its head when she convinced her wealthy patient to be her lover and then persuaded the drugged-up woman to make her the beneficiary of her $7 million will before she died, according to court papers. Now the disinherited brother of the late Amy Blumenthal is involved in a bruising legal battle with her psychiatrist-girlfriend Dr. Susan Turner. Randy Blumenthal says his older sister, who suffered from an [...]
Robert Labine, psychiatrist, “behaviour damaged the reputation of all psychiatrists and the entire profession”
Montreal Gazette Psychiatrist suspended for having sex with patient By Charlie Fidelman August 5, 2015 Threatened with a civil suit, psychiatrist Robert Labine revealed to the provincial physicians’ board that he had sex with one of his patients. The disciplinary committee of the Collège des médecins du Québec this week fined the St-Jérôme psychiatrist $1,000 and suspended him for a year. In a ruling that went into effect Aug. 3, the Collège’s disciplinary committee noted it has “zero tolerance” for code of ethics violations of a sexual nature. Labine alerted the Collège of his own accord in 2013 [...]
Mohamed Siddiqui, Psychiatrist, arrested in identity theft
The Times of India Indian-origin psychiatrist arrested in NZ over identity theft Aug 6, 2015 Mohamed Shakeel Siddiqui appears via audio visual link from prison to Hamilton District Court. MELBOURNE: An Indian-origin psychiatrist from the US and practicing in New Zealand has been arrested by authorities over an alleged identity theft to work in the country though he says he is a victim of "clerical error". Mohamed Shakeel Siddiqui has been charged with obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, with the police alleging he stole the credentials of a doctor in Illinois with a similar name — Mohammed Shafi Siddiqui, [...]
Italian Psychiatrist under investigation in death of forcibly hospitalized patient
ANSA.IT Mental patient 'not strangled' Andrea Soldi, 45, died after forced hospitalization August 10, 2015 Andrea Soldi, 45, died after being forcibly hospitalized (ANSA) - Turin, August 10 - An autopsy on a 45-year-old schizophrenic man who died after being forcibly hospitalized last week showed he was not strangled, sources said Monday. Andrea Soldi, 45, died after being forced onto an ambulance and taken to hospital for mandatory treatment. Turin prosecutors placed three traffic cops and a psychiatrist under investigation in connection with the death. The patient's family said Soldi's body showed "clear signs of thoracic compression".
Aussie Psychiatrist Andrew Leggett Ordered to Undergo Psych Treatment for Sex with Patient
The Chronicle Psychiatrist must have counselling over affair with patient By Adam Davies July 15, 2015 Psychiatrist Andrew Leggett A FORMER Toowoomba and Ipswich psychiatrist who admitted having a long-term affair with a patient has been reprimanded and ordered to undergo boundary violation counselling for 12 months. Dr Andrew Alfred George Leggett admitted to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal he had a long-term affair with a patient while working as a psychiatrist in Brisbane. During a hearing in May the tribunal heard that in 2001 Dr Leggett treated the woman who was undergoing stresses following a divorce. When [...]
Theodore Jasper, NJ psychiatrist, went to patient’s home, delivered Adderall, kissed her on the mouth, the next month escalated to a sexual affair
The Record NJ moving to suspend license of Clifton psychiatrist accused of having sexual relationship with patient By Jean Rimbach July 16, 2015 Psychiatrist Theodore Jasper, 1010 Clifton Ave # 102, Clifton, NJ 07013 The state attorney general wants to temporarily suspend the license of a Clifton psychiatrist amid allegations the doctor had a sexual relationship with a long-time patient he was treating for bi-polar disorder. An administrative complaint filed this month with the state Board of Medical Examiners alleges Theodore F. Jasper had repeated sexual encounters with a 35-year-old woman he was treating with talk therapy and medications. [...]
Lawrence Cronin, Arizona psychiatrist, Ordered to surrender his license, engaged in sexual relationship with patient – overmedicated her with “hypnotic agents”
Lawrence Cronin, Arizona psychiatrist Psychiatrist Lawrence Cronin, previously at 7333 E TANQUE VERDE RD, TUCSON, AZ 85715-3475 BEFORE THE ARIZONA MEDICAL BOARD Lawrence Cronin, M.D. ("Respondent'), elects to permanently waive any right to a hearing and appeal with respect to this Order for Surrender of License; admits the jurisdiction of the Arizona Medical Board ("Board"); and consents to the entry of this Order by the Board. FINDINGS OF FACT 1. The Board is the duly constituted authority for the regulation and control of the practice of allopathic medicine in the State of Arizona. 2. Respondent is the holder [...]
Shrink Aubrey Levin Sued for $1.4-million by man who alleges he was molested
Calgary Sun Disgraced Calgary psychiatrist Aubrey Levin facing new abuse allegations By Kevin Martin July 24, 2015 Psychiatrist Aubrey Levin Sued for $1.4-million New allegations against disgraced former court psychiatrist Aubrey Levin have emerged. In a $1.4-million lawsuit filed this week, a Calgary man alleges he was molested by the doctor from 1998 to 2002. But in a statement of claim obtained Friday by the Sun, the plaintiff says he was referred by court order for a forensic assessment. The man, whom the Sun is not naming because of the sexual nature of the allegations, said he had to [...]
Gregg Gorton, Veterans Affairs psychiatrist, tells Veteran to “off yourself” in Facebook post
The Washington Times VA psychiatrist tells Facebook user to ‘off yourself’ By Jacqueline Klimas July 28, 2015 Excerpt -- A Veterans Affairs psychiatrist allegedly told an online user to “off yourself” over a stance on gun control in a Facebook comment thread, according to an image shared online. A photo posted to Imgur on Monday night shows one user expressing a pro-gun stance in a Facebook comment thread. “I am all for gun control,” the user wrote. “If there is a gun in the room, I want to be in control of it.” Gregg Gorton, whose Facebook profile identifies [...]
Shubu Ghosh, Alaska Child Psychiatrist Gets the Slammer in $605k medicaid fraud case
KTUU Anchorage child psychiatrist to serve 3.5 years for $605k medicaid fraud By Mallory Peebles July 29, 2015 An Anchorage child psychiatrist was sentenced to seven years in prison Wednesday for medicaid fraud for more than half a million dollars. Dr. Shubhranjan "Shubu" Ghosh was pinpointed as the mastermind behind a white collar crime that stole around $605,000 from the state of Alaska. Judge Phillip Volland sentenced Ghosh to seven years in prison with half the time suspended. In addition to the three and a half years of jail time, Ghosh is required to pay back $605,000 in restitution. "Dr. [...]
Ashwini Sabnis, Connecticut psychiatrist, targeted by Attorney General for Fraud Scheme
Connecticut Post Fairfield psychiatrist charged with fraud By Ken Dixon June 18, 2015 Psychiatrist Ashwini Sabnis, Brighter Concept, Inc., 2000 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824 HARTFORD - A Fairfield psychiatrist is the target of a lawsuit alleging a long-running fraud scheme to file phony claims with the state Department of Social Services. Attorney General George Jepsen announced Thursday morning that Dr. Ashwini Sabnis and her husband Saurav “Sam” Mohanty, co-owners of Brighter Concept, Inc., 2000 Post Road in Fairfield, filed false claims under the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program. Jepsen said he is seeking triple damages under the state’s False [...]