NEWARK - The State Board of Medical Examiners has suspended a Bergen County podiatrist following his October arrest for alleged criminal sexual contact with a patient.
Dr. Frederick M. Weintraub, D.P.M., 61, was temporarily suspended from practice effective December 27 by action of a hearing committee of the Board. The BME yesterday voted to formally ratify that decision. The license suspension will remain in effect until further Board action.
Northvale police arrested and charged Weintraub on October 25 after a patient reported that he allegedly fondled her breasts during a routine podiatry appointment.
"Dr. Weintraub's alleged actions show a clear and imminent threat to the public. There is no justification for his alleged conduct and we're pleased the Board granted our request for temporary license suspension in order to protect the public," Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said.
The State also alleged in its Complaint that Weintraub made inappropriate sexual comments to staff working at assisted-living residences in northern New Jersey, and allegedly touched the breasts of one staff member, when he came to the residences to provide podiatry services to patients living there. The Board considers the staff member a second patient whom Weintraub abused because he had previously treated her as a patient.
The company operating the residences in June 2012 terminated Weintraub and reported his alleged actions to the Board of Medical Examiners. The Board had opened an investigation of Weintraub prior to his arrest in Northvale.
"The allegations against Dr. Weintraub represent serious and harmful acts that victimized a patient and a co-worker and created a hostile working environment for multiple health care workers," said Eric T. Kanefsky, Acting Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs. "His alleged conduct violated Board regulations and professional standards, and make him a danger to the public."
Deputy Attorney General David M. Puteska, Assistant Chief of the Professional Boards Prosecution Section, presented this case to the Board. Deputy Attorney General Steven Flanzman counseled the Board. Staff in the Division of Consumer Affairs' Enforcement Bureau conducted the investigation. The Attorney General and Acting Director also thank the Northvale Police Department and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office which obtained key evidence in this investigation.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its
website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey ) or 973-504-6200.
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