DeSantis Rescinds Large Number of Appointments Made by Former Governor, One from Board of Dentistry

George Indest HeadshotBy George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On February 22, 2019, Florida’s new Governor, Rick DeSantis retracted 169 appointments that the former governor made before leaving office. One of these was to the Florida Board of Dentistry. This is not the first time he has called back last-minute decisions made by his predecessor. In January 2019, he retracted 46 of Scott’s “lame duck appointments.”

The new governor has now pulled a total of 215 of Scott’s prior appointments to various boards and committees.

Here’s a List of the Appointments Made by Scott That Governor DeSantis Pulled for the Professional Boards Under the Department of Health (DOH):

Angela Sissine, Board of Dentistry

Steve Moreau, Board of Acupuncture

Steven Falcone, Board of Medicine

Andre Perez, Board of Medicine

Merle Preston Stringer, Board of Medicine

Heather Baumwald, Board of Nursing

Jennifer Raymond, Board of Nursing

Mary Julie Talmadge, Board of Nursing

Elna Rose Vizvary, Board of Occupational Therapy Practice

Katie Gilbert-Spear, Board of Optometry

John Edmund Griffin, Board of Optometry

David Rouse, Board of Optometry

Paul Weott, Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists

Mark Block, Board of Podiatric Medicine

Soorena Sadri, Board of Podiatric Medicine

In January 2019, Governor DeSantis retracted nearly 46 of Scott’s appointments. The Senate withdrew all of the names from their appointments.

The Retractions Made In January for DOH Boards Included:

Philip Diaz, Board of Chiropractic Medicine

Dr. Emique Ginzburg, Board of Medicine

Nicolas Romanello, Board of Medicine

Linville Atkins, Board of Optometry

The list of retracted appointments also included nominations to a host of major and minor positions, from college boards of trustees to trade boards and state commissions. To take a look at the full list of appointments, not just those listed on the DOH, click here.

Click here to read the press release that Governor DeSantis’s issued regarding the matter.
You can also view a copy of the letter he wrote to Senate President Galvano here.

A spokeswoman for Senate President Galvano said the Senate will fully comply with DeSantis’ request. “Senate President Bill Galvano will act in accordance with the Senate Rules and will direct the Secretary to return the documentation of the appointments and document the return in the Journal,” said Katie Betta.

To learn more about DOH matters and investigations, click here.

 

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Dentists.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm provide legal representation to dentists in Department of Health (DOH) investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigations, FBI investigations, Board of Dentistry and other types of investigations of health professionals and providers.

Our firm also routinely represents physicians, dentists, orthodontists, medical groups, clinics, pharmacies, home health care agencies, nursing homes and other health care providers in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits and recovery actions.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at http://www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Ogles, Jacob. “Governor sacks college board trustees across the state.” Florida Politics. (February 24, 2019). Web.

Ogles, Jacob. “Ron DeSantis pulls back nearly 170 Rick Scott appointments.” Florida Politics. (February 25, 2019). Web.

Schweers, Jeffrey. “Florida ethics commission reviewing rules after Ron DeSantis yanks Rick Scott appointments.” Tallahassee Democrat. (February 26, 2019). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law is an attorney with The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

KeyWords: Legal representation for Department of Health (DOH) investigations, legal representation for DOH complaints, DOH compliant representation, professional license defense attorney, professional license representation, healthcare license representation, healthcare license defense representation, Board defense representation, health care license defense lawyer, DOH defense attorney, DOH investigation defense lawyer, representation for DOH investigation, Florida health law attorney, health law defense attorney, legal representation for health care professionals, legal representation for disciplinary actions against your license, legal representation for license revocation, Board of Medicine defense lawyer, administrative complaint attorney, dentist defense counsel, legal representation for dentist, dental board defense attorney, dental license defense attorney, legal representation for dentist, Board of Dentistry representation, Board of Dentistry defense lawyer, representation for Board of Dentistry investigation, legal representation for administrative complaints, Board of Medicine representation, legal counsel for Board representation, The Health Law Firm, health law defense attorney, Florida health law attorney, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorneys review

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2019 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

Michigan Dentist Accused of Million Dollar Medicaid Fraud Scheme Captured in Caribbean

5 Indest-2008-2By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Michigan dentist accused of Medicaid fraud was recently captured in the Dominican Republic after evading charges for months, state authorities announced. Dr. David Johnson operated the alleged scheme through Livernois Dental in Detroit, which he owned at the time but has since sold.

27 Charges.

Dr. Johnson was charged by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette in May 2017, after allegedly using another dentist’s information to improperly bill Medicaid $1.7 million over a three year period of time. The charges include one count of racketeering, punishable by up to 20 years in prison; 20 counts of false Medicaid claims, punishable by up to 10 years in prison; and six counts of false health care claims, punishable by up to four years in prison.

According to the Attorney General’s press release, since the charges were issued, the dentist was living outside of the United States in an attempt to evade arrest. To read the AG’s press release in full, click here.

Unfortunately, this is not the only case of a health care professional trying to evade arrest. To read about another case, click here to read one of my prior blogs.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late; Consult with a Health Law Attorney Experienced in Medicare and Medicaid Issues Now.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent healthcare providers in Medicare audits, ZPIC audits and RAC audits throughout Florida and across the U.S. They also represent physicians, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers and institutions in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits, recovery actions and termination from the Medicare or Medicaid Program.

For more information please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com or call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001.

Sources:

Rahal, Sarah. “Macomb dentist accused of fraud faces 27 felonies.” The Detroit News. (October 3, 2017). Web.

“Chesterfield Township dentist accused of Medicaid fraud captured in Caribbean.” Baltimore Voice Newspaper. (October 3, 2017). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

KeyWords: Legal representation for Medicaid fraud, Medicaid defense attorney, Medicaid fraud defense attorney, legal representation for health care fraud, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) defense attorney, dentist defense counsel, legal representation for dentist, dental board defense attorney, dental license defense attorney, legal representation for dentist, legal representation for allegations of health care fraud, legal representation for improper billing, legal representation for defrauding the government, legal representation for defrauding Medicaid, legal representation for dentists, dentist attorney, defense attorney for dentists, The Health Law Firm, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews, board of dentistry defense counsel, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) legal representation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) defense counsel

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2017 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

 

Michigan Dentist Accused of Million Dollar Medicaid Fraud Scheme Captured in Caribbean

5 Indest-2008-2By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Michigan dentist accused of Medicaid fraud was recently captured in the Dominican Republic after evading charges for months, state authorities announced. Dr. David Johnson operated the alleged scheme through Livernois Dental in Detroit, which he owned at the time but has since sold.

27 Charges.

Dr. Johnson was charged by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette in May 2017, after allegedly using another dentist’s information to improperly bill Medicaid $1.7 million over a three year period of time. The charges include one count of racketeering, punishable by up to 20 years in prison; 20 counts of false Medicaid claims, punishable by up to 10 years in prison; and six counts of false health care claims, punishable by up to four years in prison.

According to the Attorney General’s press release, since the charges were issued, the dentist was living outside of the United States in an attempt to evade arrest. To read the AG’s press release in full, click here.

Unfortunately, this is not the only case of a health care professional trying to evade arrest. To read about another case, click here to read one of my prior blogs.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late; Consult with a Health Law Attorney Experienced in Medicare and Medicaid Issues Now.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent healthcare providers in Medicare audits, ZPIC audits and RAC audits throughout Florida and across the U.S. They also represent physicians, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers and institutions in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits, recovery actions and termination from the Medicare or Medicaid Program.

For more information please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com or call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001.

Sources:

Rahal, Sarah. “Macomb dentist accused of fraud faces 27 felonies.” The Detroit News. (October 3, 2017). Web.

“Chesterfield Township dentist accused of Medicaid fraud captured in Caribbean.” Baltimore Voice Newspaper. (October 3, 2017). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

KeyWords: Legal representation for Medicaid fraud, Medicaid defense attorney, Medicaid fraud defense attorney, legal representation for health care fraud, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) defense attorney, dentist defense counsel, legal representation for dentist, dental board defense attorney, dental license defense attorney, legal representation for dentist, legal representation for allegations of health care fraud, legal representation for improper billing, legal representation for defrauding the government, legal representation for defrauding Medicaid, legal representation for dentists, dentist attorney, defense attorney for dentists, The Health Law Firm, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews, board of dentistry defense counsel, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) legal representation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) defense counsel

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2017 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

 

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