Bogus Medical Board Certification Targets Immigrant Physicians

In October 2007, I wrote a post about a fraudulent board certification scheme that I researched after being sent an application for "certification" in the bogus American Academy of Cardiology spearheaded by a "Reverend A. Lasko, MD" or "Reverend K. Lasko, MD" - I wasn't sure. Later, I was subpoenaed by this man to appear before his lawyer in a suit between he and his sister (I was not a party to the suit). The subpoena insisted I bring down my blog post and identify the the URLs of those who commented. After fighting to have the subpoena quashed, the subpoena was rendered "moot" after the suit was dismissed.

Since that time, the American Board of Internal Medicine has been busy tracking Mr. Lasko's whereabouts. Today, the Connecticut Attorney General's Office offered this press release verifying Mr. Lasko's identity and alias's used for his scam:

"Blumenthal's office has learned that an out-of-state individual known as Keith Alan Lasko -- who also uses the names K. Lasko, Keith Ferrari, K. Ferrari, and KA James Windsor -- has sold phony certifications to doctors in a variety of medical specialties in exchange for submitting only basic information and a substantial fee.

At least 130 more complaints have been reported, including at least one in Connecticut.

Lasko's alleged scheme particularly targets foreign-born or foreign-taught doctors who may be unaware of the proper certification process.

"Real and recognized medical board certifications require rigorous examination and education -- not simply payment for a piece of paper," Blumenthal said. "This scheme deceives patients and medical professionals, and endangers lives -- misleading consumers into believing that their physicians possess a level of expertise that they lack.

"This alleged con artist used false names -- for himself and for fictitious medical boards whose fake certificates he sold. Doctors face potential legal action if they misrepresent their credentials with phony certificates. These specialty-seeking doctors who paid substantial sums -- $500 or higher -- were typically foreign born or foreign educated, and now should know better."

Bottom line: buyer beware.

I sincerely hope they catch this guy. After all, I've got some serious legal fees I need repaid.

-Wes