posted
Doctor convicted of defrauding Lou Gehrig's disease patients
The Associated Press
CAMDEN, N.J. - A New Jersey doctor and her assistant were found guilty Friday of taking thousands of dollars from patients by promising to cure them of Lou Gehrig's disease with a stem-cell therapy they did not, and could not, deliver.
A federal jury found Charlene DeMarco and her aide, Elizabeth Lerner, both of Egg Harbor City, guilty on all 11 counts with which they were charged, including conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.
During closing arguments of their trial Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Geni Cowles told jurors that the pair took advantage of people from rural Louisiana who believed the doctor - a Lyme disease expert - could cure their Lou Gehrig's disease-stricken loved ones.
Posts: 510 | From NEVERLAND.USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
No, this is not "the reason lyme doctors are getting bad names." The charges had nothing to do with lyme. How many lyme doctors do you know of who are promising their patients stem-cell therapy?
Likewise, lyme doctors do not have "bad names" unless you listen to certain researchers with their heads in the sand, who ignore evidence of persistent infection and ignore the fact that 2/3 NIH-funded controlled studies support long-term treatment.
I'm sorry, but your post sounds like an attempt to smear lyme doctors as a whole. Surely that wasn't your intention?
Posts: 621 | From US | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sorry, you misunderstood.I meant the reporter,that said the doctor,"A lyme specialist".I meant ignorant reporters are why some llmd's get a bad rap.I should have clarified.
Posts: 510 | From NEVERLAND.USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
8man12, how come you have the same name as the troll who posts on sci.lyme, chuck adams?
Not to pass judgment on you, but it seems strange that Chuck would use that same unique name.
Posts: 40 | From CT | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
He uses everyones name,Im sure the moderators know the difference.I dont post on sci.med. disease for awhile now.It dont matter what name you use over there,he uses it to discredit whatever you post that may be important.
Posts: 510 | From NEVERLAND.USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
It's just that Chuck posted he was fooling people with that name on here that many of us may be very cautious on sharing information. I suggest you change the name if you are not Chuck, that is up to you.
Posts: 40 | From CT | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
All doctors have patients that die. All doctors have patients that commit suicide. Poor Dr. S with his overdosing patient!!!!!!!!!!! Is it a doctors fault if their patient offs themselves? With Lyme docs people will go after them- and even people who are not out to get them but may be legitmately grieving family members- are supported in a desire for retribution by people who have a bad impression of "chronic Lyme" and believes ANY doctor who treats it is a quack. People don't know any better. I feel sorry for them. Being a Lyme doc is like being a female corporate attorney 30 years ago- you better be better than the men- better than the others- because otherwise you will go DOWN. ANy weakness will be used against you- whether Dr. L and tax evasion- or Dr. Y and "overprescribing abx"- never have I seen a group of doctors be sued as much as Lyme docs-
And we will miss you.
Yes, funny isn't it? Trolls. They are everywhere!!!!! And in Lymeland I have to say that trolls are not innocuous. This is a safe place prettymuch. Sci.med was a wonderful board once but they have closed it down-
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by 8man12: Listen i only post positve lyme info.
That was NOT positive.
I stand corrected. Dr De used to be on my OLD list, but I had crossed out her name with a note that she had been charged with fraud.
She is not on the new list, which is all I'm using.
I agree that the other side is looking for ways to bring our drs down....but maybe she was not a good one to begin with?????
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
I recall reading that article this weekend in the local paper and said "This is an LLMD - what the hey??". She was on an old LLMD list I received several years ago.
I guess we all need to keep lists fresh... lesson learned for all.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I actually know of two people who were treated by this doctor for Lyme disease about 6 or 7 years ago (before all these charges).
Anyway, after longterm abx treatment, they're both off all medication and are working again.
Not saying what the doctor did in this instance was okay, only that most of these situations are more complicated than they might first appear.
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
quote:Originally posted by griff: It's just that Chuck posted he was fooling people with that name on here that many of us may be very cautious on sharing information. I suggest you change the name if you are not Chuck, that is up to you.
This is true ... I saw this too. He opened his big mouth and gave himself away. Watch out all. Chuckie is here. Take anything he says with a grain of salt.
Posts: 2275 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
8man12......I posted this info also on Dec. 8 no one reponded. I was just hoping the doc wasn't treating anyone here on the board and wanted give a heads up to people here.
I was not trying to stir things up for petes sake.
quote:8man12......I posted this info also on Dec. 8 no one reponded. I was just hoping the doc wasn't treating anyone here on the board and wanted give a heads up to people here.
I was not trying to stir things up for petes sake.
There was no respone to my post.
stella marie, in my mind there's a big difference between your post and this one. It's one thing to post the article to alert others - what could be the problem there? But it's another thing to use it as an underhanded attempt to link this case to all "lyme doctors" and suggest that they are "getting bad names" (even if under the guise of concern).
That's playing on confusion, esp. for newbies who may not know all the facts about the many good LLMDs who have been brought up on politically motivated charges for the "crime" of treating Lyme patients appropriately.
And it sounds like an attempt to divide patients, because most of us are rightly skeptical of charges against anyone who treats chronic Lyme (based on the history of good LLMDs being harassed) - so some will defend, and others will question why the defense.
Tired tactic. Everyone knows that good LLMDs do not engage in fraud. Stay united.
Posts: 621 | From US | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Did you see who was one of the ten witnesses for Dr. DeMarco?
quote:Before the closing arguments, the defense called 10 character witnesses to the stand for brief, 5-minute testimonies. They praised DeMarco as an excellent Lyme disease doctor while they were her patients. The witnesses included Jeanne Moos a correspondent for CNN; a Pennsylvania cabinet maker; and a former dean at Salem Community College.
posted
Hey there K-Lady, how's it going? Yeah I saw her name and was wondering what tx she was seeking at that doc's practice.
Idfighter, I guess it's all in how you type the subject line.....but to be honest I never thought our 8man was trying to stir things up. I do see how it can be confusing for newbies, it's still mind blowin' for me here also.
-------------------- Stella Marie Posts: 694 | From US | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Digest Stem cell brain surgery is a leap of faith Parents put their hope in a risky and controversial experiment. Compiled from Times wires Published December 12, 2006
SAN FRANCISCO - Daniel Kerner's parents knew the experimental brain surgery was risky, but without it the 6-year-old surely would die.
Last month in Portland, Ore., doctors for the first time transplanted stem cells from aborted fetuses into his head in a desperate bid to reverse, or at least slow, a rare genetic disorder called Batten disease. The condition normally results in blindness and paralysis before death.
Doctors don't know if the neural stem cells taken from fetuses - donated to a medical foundation by women aborting early-stage pregnancies - will save Daniel's life. But the boy has sufficiently recovered from his eight-hour surgery to be expected to return to his Orange County, Calif., home Friday. The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins that night.
"We don't think that is a coincidence," said Marcus Kerner, who said a deep faith in Judaism and long hours of prayer prompted the family to volunteer Daniel for the risky procedure. He was diagnosed two years ago and has lost the ability to walk and talk. His was the first experimental operation among five planned on afflicted children in the next year.
"He was a little boy who was basically waiting to die. Now he's waiting to get better," Kerner said. He said Daniel recently called him "Dad" for the first time in two years.
The stem cells injected into Daniel's head aren't human embryonic stem cells, a research field for which President Bush has limited federal funding because of moral objections. Nonetheless, the new cells in Daniel's brain do carry ethical baggage.
Antiabortion groups oppose the research, which was banned from federal funding by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. President Bill Clinton removed the prohibition in 1993.
"They are trying to give an aura that this is good when this is the most grisly of examples that can be given about abortion," said Gayle Atteberry, executive director of Oregon Right to Life. "They are taking the brains from babies."
Batten afflicts roughly three out of every 100,000 children in the United States, and most victims die before they reach their teens. The results of the experimental surgery won't be known for at least a year.
[Last modified December 12, 2006, 01:48:33]
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Just want to clarify - I don't pretend to know all the facts in this case (though I do have questions), or about experimental stem-cell therapies.
My points were only that 1) this case isn't representative of other LLMDs, and 2) whether she's guilty or not, good LLMDs do not defraud patients.
That may be obvious to most, but I'm concerned about people new to Lyme diagnosis & politics reading things like this out of context.
Posts: 621 | From US | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:and ignore the fact that 2/3 NIH-funded controlled studies support long-term treatment.
What studies are these? Are they published? I was not aware of any published studies on long-term treatment, besides the Klempner study (which was crap) and the Donta study (which was not controlled).
thanks, Bec
Posts: 21 | From NY | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
This has her name more than once and no one protested.
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
Good info, Andie.
I prefer to withhold judgment on this one.... unless I have the time and opportunity to read the entire court transcript of the case, I can't know what really transpired.
Besides, who ever heard of ANY doctor PROMISING a CURE for much of anything.... that very first paragraph suggests to me that perhaps this is not an accurate account of the basic `facts' of the case.
Definitely much more info needed on this one.
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Not sure 8man is chuckie but he does have a grudge against lyme labs and has frequently posted things that put lyme docs in a bad light. Look at his old posts in the archives.
Furthermore, everyone should be withholding judgement, and not convicting any doc on the basis of newspaper articles. Surely you know how often they get lyme wrong? And you know there has been a systematic attempt all over the country to shut down anyone who treats chronic lyme.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think that this was important info but agree that maybe the title should be changed.
It plants incorrect/misleading info in people's subconscious minds, especially newbies who don't quite understand all of the nuances and intricacies of Lyme friendly doctors who are put under scrutiny.
Unless we were AT the trial, we really do not have the answers, as I learned from Jones' trial. The opposing lawyers distort facts, the LLMDs are judged by a biased medical panel, and mislead us, and even outright lie. It was amazing to watch the amount of outrights lies that were told in order to try and convict Jones. That is what so many of us saw.
So, we have NO idea what actually transpired with this doctor, or if, indeed, she even did anything worthy of questioning.
That being said, we could use this information and process it, and balance it against what we know and don't know and make informed decisions on our own.
However, the title / header of this post biases one in a way that will make those who are less informed most likely to believe the negative - that Lyme doctors are bad.
Most of us know that they are not and have saved our lives. We would give the world for them, as they have put their lives on the line in many ways for us. This should not be discredited. Sure, we see that our doctors are imperfect in some ways, but they are human.
We should be very careful with our wording.
But, that being said, I appreciate the information from this post, and just wish it was presented in a slightly different way.
Posts: 588 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic