August 16, 2000

SIX CHARGED WITH OPERATING UNLICENSED MEDICAL FACILITY IN FLUSHING'S CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND PRACTICING MEDICINE WITHOUT A LICENSE

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, joined by representatives of the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions, announced today the arrest of six individuals on charges of defrauding hundreds of members of the Flushing Chinese American community who sought medical service and treatment from them by operating an illegal unlicensed medical facility in which they provided orthopedic, oncology, dermatology, internal medicine and women's and children's' health services. Each of the defendants is charged with practicing medicine without a license and, in addition, three of the defendants are charged with assault and reckless endangerment in connection with medical procedures performed on those who sought their services.

District Attorney Brown said, "According to the charges, the defendants operated an illegal and unlicensed medical facility variously called the New York Beijing Chinese Medical Center, the Beijing Chinese Medical Hospital of New York and World Health Inc. where they allegedly accepted fees for examining, diagnosing and treating patients. They allegedly held themselves out in advertisements as medical specialists in the treatment of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, bone injuries, stroke, allergies and other serious diseases. It is alleged that they took fees for treatment under false pretenses and that in so doing also decreased the likelihood that their patients would seek other medical treatment".

District Attorney Brown said, "While many aspects of traditional Chinese Medicine are accepted today by western medical practitioners, it is clear that these defendants who are not licensed to practice medicine or to operate a medical facility in this state, crossed the line. By their own admission these defendants were engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of serious medical conditions in violation of New York law."

Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan-Poitier of the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions said, "This joint effort by the State Education Department and the Queens District Attorney is a fine example of public protection. We have brought to a halt the illegal practice of medicine by unqualified persons who preyed on the Chinese community in Queens. We will continue to expose and prosecute anyone who operates without a license."

According to District Attorney Brown the facility, which is located at 39-02 Main Street in Flushing, is owned by the defendant Shou Dong Wang, 42, of 217-05 53rd Ave, Bayside and advertises it's services on the Internet as well as in Chinese language newspapers.

District Attorney Brown said that the investigation began following the filing earlier this year of a medical malpractice lawsuit in Supreme Court, Queens County by a Flushing woman who complained that the defendant Wang and two other defendants, Jing Yi Hao, 41, of 217-05 53rd Avenue, Bayside and Guo Wu Liu, 83, of 92-11 92nd Road, Elmhurst, had treated her at the Flushing facility in November 1999 and that they had performed surgery on her to remove an intra uterine device and had prescribed herbs to ease the inflammation after the surgery. Subsequently, she claimed that she had experienced pain and developed an infection which she stated continues to cause her discomfort. The defendants Wang, Liu and Hao were charged today with assault in connection with the surgery and face up to 7 years in prison if convicted.

The Justice presiding over the malpractice suit referred this matter to the District Attorney's Office in May, 2000 after the defendants responded in court papers that they could not be sued for medical malpractice since they were not licensed to practice medicine.

District Attorney Brown said that the investigation, which was conducted by detectives assigned to the Queens District Attorney's Office NYPD Squad, began shortly thereafter and included the assignment of an undercover detective who posed as a patient. According to the charges, the detective went to the facility on June 2nd complaining of shortness of breath and a cough and again on August 1st complaining of a skin rash. He was allegedly treated both times by the defendant Ying Ming Liu, 71, of 138-56 61st Flushing. On June 2nd, it is charged, the defendant examined the undercover officer's mouth and throat, took his blood pressure, told him he had high blood pressure and prescribed seven doses of an unknown substance. The undercover officer paid $77 for the visit. On August 1st, the undercover officer returned to the facility and complained of a rash on his right side and back. According to the charges, the defendant again examined him and gave him medication to take orally for 7 days and medication to be applied to the rash. The charge was $74.00 which the undercover paid.

The defendants were all arrested yesterday at the Flushing facility and are being arraigned this morning in Queens Criminal Court. They are all charged with Scheme to Defraud and practicing medicine without a license and face up to 4 years if convicted.

In addition to the criminal charges brought today, District Attorney Brown said that the facility in question was closed yesterday after investigators from the New York City Department of Buildings determined that conditions in the facility were hazardous to public safety. Buildings inspectors allegedly found partially blocked exits, obscure and unlit exit signs, a lack of fireproofing around the furnace and alcohol and other supplies in the furnace room.

The investigation was carried out by Detectives Wai Lau and Douglas Chu and Sgt. Diana Coyne of the Queens District Attorney's NYPD Office Squad, which is under the command of Captain Harold J. Knorr and Lt. Kenneth Rosello, and with the assistance of Daniel Kelleher and John McGoldrick, of the New York State Education Department's Division of Professional Licensing under the overall supervision of Executive Director Louis Catone.

Assistant District Attorney John A. Scarpa of the District Attorney's Economic Crimes Bureau, which is under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Brian J. Mich, John R. Mechmann and Diane M. Peress and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Peter A. Crusco, is in charge of the case. Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Connolly and Anthony M. Communiello, Chief of the District Attorney's Civil Enforcement Bureau assisted in the investigation.

District Attorney Brown extended his appreciation to Richard A. Visconti, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings and the New York City Department of Health for their cooperation and assistance in the investigation.

It should be noted that an arrest is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The defendants names, ages and addresses are as follows: