New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners Revokes License of Northvale-Based Podiatrist for Sexual Misconduct, Unauthorized Practice, and Violating a Prior Order Suspending his Medical License
NEWARK – The New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners has revoked the medical license of Dr. Frederick Weintraub, for engaging in sexual misconduct with a patient, inappropriate and lewd behavior with female medical staff at a facility for the developmentally disabled, and for unauthorized practice after temporary suspension of Weintraub's license. Weintraub agreed to the permanent revocation, effective December 3rd, under the terms of a Consent Order with the Board.
"Weintraub's conduct was a blatant violation of his oath to 'do no harm.' Weintraub's pattern of inappropriate sexual misconduct is clearly unacceptable and the Board's action ensures that he will never practice medicine in this state again," said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman.
"Not only did Weintraub engage in sexual misconduct with patients and lewd and inappropriate behavior, he violated the terms of previous discipline imposed upon him by the Board," said Steve Lee, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. "The Board's action permanently revoking Weintraub's license to practice should send a clear message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated."
On December 14, 2012, the Attorney General filed a two-count Complaint alleging Weintraub of sexual misconduct and other related inappropriate and lewd behavior. Specifically, this Complaint alleged that Weintraub groped and fondled the breasts of a patient during an office visit in 2012. This Complaint also alleged that Weintraub, on multiple occasions, engaged in inappropriate behavior, included unwanted groping and making sexual references and innuendo with female staff members at a nonprofit organization, for which Weintraub provided on-site podiatric services to developmentally disabled patients.
Following a hearing before a Committee of the Board, on December 27, 2012, the Committee ordered the immediate, temporary suspension of Weintraub's license to practice podiatry in the State of New Jersey. Among other things, the Committee found that Weintraub had "engaged in abusive, inappropriate and sexually exploitative behavior with [a patient]" and "repeatedly made lewd and inappropriate comments to female employees of the [nonprofit organization], and that he did so in the presence of… residents who were [his patients]… necessarily creat[ing] a hostile working environment, which in turn could have engendered risks to patients." The Committee concluded that these findings provided support for the conclusion that Weintraub's continued practice "present[ed] clear and imminent danger to the public health, safety and welfare." Accordingly, on January 9, 2013, the Board unanimously adopted the Committee's Order of Temporary Suspension.
However, despite the Order of Temporary Suspension, Weintraub continued to provide podiatric services, including the authorization of several prescriptions for controlled dangerous substances, and the in-person evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a condition affecting the lower extremities. As a result, the Attorney General amended the original Complaint to include allegations that Weintraub engaged in the unlicensed practice of medicine, violating the Board's Order of Temporary Suspension.
This current Consent Order, approved by the Board, orders that Weintraub permanently surrender his license to practice podiatry in New Jersey, to be deemed a permanent revocation with prejudice. Weintraub will not be permitted to reapply for licensure at any time.
Investigators with the Enforcement Bureau within the Division of Consumer Affairs conducted the investigation in cooperation with the Northvale Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Deputy Attorneys General Christopher Salloum and David M. Puteska, Assistant Chief of the Division of Law's Professional Boards Prosecution Section, represented the State in this matter.
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse,
can file an online 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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