CANADA: The Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors (ACAC) has refused Randall Pickett’s application for annual renewal of his practice permit. Mr. Pickett is no longer entitled to practice chiropractic in Alberta.
The Redcliffe, Alberta, chiropractor’s application was refused following his conviction on four charges of sexual assault associated with his practice of chiropractic. “The decision to not renew Mr. Pickett’s practice permit was based on our mandate of protection of the public,” said ACAC registrar, Dr. Brian Gushaty.
The ACAC regulates the chiropractic profession in Alberta under the Health Professions Act and is committed to protecting the public, ensuring accountability and improving Albertans’ health and well-being.
Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors
CALIFORNIA: On August 8, an Anaheim chiropractor was sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting four female patients who were injured in car accidents. Chi Van Pham, 43, of Yorba Linda didn’t react as he was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Patrick H. Donahue, who rejected his bid for a probation-only sentence because Pham abused a position of trust. The judge also noted that most of the victims—all who came to Pham’s office between 2003 and 2005—were “very emotional and disturbed.” In June, a jury convicted Pham of four counts of sexual battery by fraud and two misdemeanor counts of battery regarding his treatment of four women. One victim was 13 when Pham inappropriately touched and kissed her, authorities said.
The Orange County Register
WASHINGTON: Fun fact: The most amusing roadside signs are usually at churches, car washes and chiropractic offices. Here’s a case in point, a simple pledge from Martha Lake Chiropractic near Mill Creek: “The Wizard’s of ‘Ahhhhhs.’”
HeraldNet
NEW JERSEY: A Dominican national charged with staging fake car crashes returned to the United States thinking eight years was long enough to make Hudson County forget him, but he was arrested after landing at Kennedy Airport in New York, officials said. “I would say he is surprised,” said Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Zevits of Francisco Madera, 34, formerly of Park Avenue in Union City, who was arraigned in late July.
In 2000, Madera was charged in four separate indictments with offenses including health care claim fraud, conspiracy, theft by deception, attempted theft, and unsworn falsification, Zevits said.
“He got wind of the indictments and fled to the Dominican Republic when he knew it was getting too hot (here),” Zevits said.
Madera flew from the Dominican Republic to Kennedy Airport on July 10 and when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials checked his green card they found the four open warrants from Hudson County.
In a complex scam, Madera is charged with recruiting people to participate in the car crashes, Zevits said. He gave them instruction on a city and intersection where to collide, Zevits said, adding that the participants would go to the emergency room by ambulance after the crash, complaining of neck, shoulder, back or other injuries.
The fake victims would also agree to go to a chiropractor for 12 to 20 visits afterward, Zevits said, adding that insurance companies would pay for the visits and the chiropractor would give a cut to Madera. The crash participants would be paid $200 to $500 for their roles, Zevits said.
The Jersey Journal
DELAWARE: A Marion chiropractor has been sentenced to federal prison time in a multimillion-dollar marijuana smuggling ring that used a Delaware building as a waypoint. And another chiropractor has pleaded to his role and is awaiting sentencing. Federal authorities said the group moved thousands of pounds of high-grade “B.C. Bud” marijuana from Canada to Chicago where it was sold or continued on to the East Coast.
In July, Marion chiropractor Jeff Kopp, 53, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison followed by another five years of supervised release. He had been facing more than ten years behind bars.
His acquaintance, Michael Breneman, 55, of Maquoketa, also pleaded and is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 8.
Records obtained by The Courier indicate the Iowa and Chicago operation was a hub of a larger ring based in Canada and Washington state with links to the Hells Angels motorcycle club.
Documents detail a sophisticated operation that brought pot across the northern border hidden in semi trucks equipped with secret compartments, in hollowed out logs and even in a propane tanker.
The group employed couriers to move drugs and bundles of cash around the country and workers to count money. There was even an insurance plan in case authorities intercepted a shipment of contraband.
During a three-year investigation, federal agents arrested 38 people and seized 7,000 pounds of marijuana, 1,300 pounds of cocaine and more than $3.5 million in cash connected with the group.
Both Kopp and Breneman had been chiropractors in Washington state before returning to Iowa.
The Courier