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Division of Consumer Affairs

Sexual Misconduct With Patient Means Revocation Of License For Bergen Physical Therapist: AG Sexual Misconduct With Patient Means Revocation Of License For Bergen Physical Therapist: AG
Sexual Misconduct With Patient Means Revocation Of License For Bergen Physical Therapist: AG The New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners has permanently revoked the license of a Bergen County physical therapist who admitted to engaging in sexual relations with one patient and was accused of making inappropriate remarks to another, officials said. Danny O. Steffens, who practiced at facilities in New Milford and Fort Lee, voluntarily surrendered his license following complaints from two female patients, identified in filed documents as Patient #1 and Patient #2, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Thursday, Dec. 19. Steffens is prohibited from ever reappl…
Bergen Financial Advisor Who Sold $3.65M Deal To Elderly Clients Has License Revoked: AG Bergen Financial Advisor Who Sold $3.65M Deal To Elderly Clients Has License Revoked: AG
Bergen Financial Advisor Who Sold $3.65M Deal To Elderly Clients Has License Revoked: AG State officials have revoked the licese of a Bergen County financial advisor and broker after it came to light that he sold a pair of elderly clients a total of $3.65 million in a move that New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said was not in the best interest of the clients. Carlos Leston, who also goes by Jose Carlos Leston, of Maywood, made the sale in securities in a New York Lending company without disclosing that the CEO of the corporation was a friend of his who had been barred from the securities industry, Platkin said. Leston also failed to disclose that he had a r…
Unlicensed Bergen County Mover Among 23 Fined In Undercover Operation: AG Unlicensed Bergen County Mover Among 23 Fined In Undercover Operation: AG
Unlicensed Bergen County Mover Among 23 Fined In Undercover Operation: AG Twenty-three unlicensed movers have been issued notices of violation and assessed civil penalties totaling $125,000, New Jersey officials said. The penalties were the results of "Operation Safe Move," a state-led undercover operation targeting movers doing business without being licensed by the Division, as required by law, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said (scroll for a list of companies and what they're being fined). The civil enforcement investigation was conducted over a three-day period in June, in which investigators with the Division’s Office of Consumer Protectio…
Newark Vet Charged With Animal Cruelty After 2 Dogs Die In His Care, Prosecutor Says Newark Vet Charged With Animal Cruelty After 2 Dogs Die In His Care, Prosecutor Says
Newark Vet Charged With Animal Cruelty After 2 Dogs Die In His Care, Prosecutor Says A veterinarian in Newark has been charged with animal cruelty after two dogs died in his care, authorities said. Ehren Seth Yablon, who owns the Newark Veterinary Hospital on Wilson Avenue, told one dog owner that her pet died during surgery but surgery was never performed, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II said. In another instance, a puppy that tested positive for parvo, a highly-infectious disease, Yablon, 44, of Hillside, placed in the same kennel with its two siblings, where the animal died, Stephens said. Yablon proceeded to charge that dog's owner with ser…
Directors Of Fallen Officers Charity Went To Disney, Pocketed $200,000, Jersey AG Charges Directors Of Fallen Officers Charity Went To Disney, Pocketed $200,000, Jersey AG Charges
Directors Of Fallen Officers Charity Went To Disney, Pocketed $200,000, Jersey AG Charges Operators of a Jersey Shore-based charity to benefit the families of law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty helped themselves instead, state authorities charged. The National Police Relief Association and several of its board members went to dinner and to Walt Disney World on the dimes of donors while directly pocketing more than $200,000, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said. Meanwhile, families of slain officers got a grand total of $14,000, he said. “It’s disgusting that people would raise money for fallen and injured law enforcement officers o…
Doc Accused Of Reckless, Harmful Breast, Penile Enlargement Injections In NJ, NY, CT, PA Doc Accused Of Reckless, Harmful Breast, Penile Enlargement Injections In NJ, NY, CT, PA
Doc Accused Of Reckless, Harmful Breast, Penile Enlargement Injections In NJ, NY, CT, PA An internist with little formal training has been recklessly injecting a hazardous dermal filler into patients seeking breast and penis enhancements -- often with extremely harmful results -- at dozens of offices in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, authorities charged. Toting the product around in duffle bags, Dr. Muhammad A. Mirza of Cedar Grove has seen up to 30 patients a day in what some described as a “small storage closet” and “closet area with a bench,” Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said Tuesday. Some patients said that Mirza didn't wear a mask…
State Asks Judge To Stop Purported Animal Charity Run By Wyckoff Woman That Raised Millions State Asks Judge To Stop Purported Animal Charity Run By Wyckoff Woman That Raised Millions
State Asks Judge To Stop Purported Animal Charity Run By Wyckoff Woman That Raised Millions A Wyckoff woman raised millions of dollars by falsely claiming an organization she founded that places rescue dogs as service animals is a charity, said state authorities who’ve gone to court to shut her down. Janice Wolfe has “unlawfully raised millions of dollars since 2008 without registering Merlin’s Kids as a charitable organization,” state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Friday. Wolfe’s fundraising included “false and misleading claims” about the services provided by both Merlin’s Kids and an affiliated for-profit company, United K9 Professional Inc., he said. Meanwhile, tens …
COVID-19, Black Friday A 'Super Bowl' Combo For Newest Scams, Here's How To Not Get Beat COVID-19, Black Friday A 'Super Bowl' Combo For Newest Scams, Here's How To Not Get Beat
Covid-19, Black Friday A 'Super Bowl' Combo For Newest Scams, Here's How To Not Get Beat WATCH OUT: The combination of COVID-19 and Black Friday creates the ultimate game for criminals who are skilled at robbing online customers blind, New Jersey's top law enforcer warned. The opportunities for cashing in at your expense this week is "like the Super Bowl for cyber criminals," New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. "They are good at the game and have had time to practice and rehearse each play.”  Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs warned consumers to watch out for new online scams and a slew of cyber-attacks as the holiday shopping season kicks off on w…
'Rotten' Apple Pays NJ $3 Million To Settle iPhone Rip-Off Complaint 'Rotten' Apple Pays NJ $3 Million To Settle iPhone Rip-Off Complaint
'Rotten' Apple Pays NJ $3 Million To Settle iPhone Rip-Off Complaint New Jersey is getting more than $3 million from Apple as part of a settlement of charges that it hid and lied about a defect with million of iPhones that made customers buy new ones, authorities announced Wednesday. A multi-state investigation led to a complaint accusing the electronics giant of hiding unexpected power-offs (UPOs), battery health and performance issues, as well as software upgrades that slowed down or “throttled” performance, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. Apple doesn't admit to any violations of the law under the $113 million settlement reached with 34 state…
Rubbing People The Wrong Way: More Massage Therapists Lose Licenses In NJ Rubbing People The Wrong Way: More Massage Therapists Lose Licenses In NJ
Rubbing People The Wrong Way: More Massage Therapists Lose Licenses In NJ New Jersey authorities this week revoked the license of the ninth massage therapist in the past year for “inappropriate and unwanted sexual contact” with a client who literally put her trust in his hands. John R. Popper, 48, of Little Egg Harbor was convicted earlier this year of harassment by offensive touching for placing his hand on a client’s vagina during a massage at Hand and Stone spa in Somers Point. In turn, the state Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy permanently barred him from working as a massage therapist in New Jersey ever again because he “engaged in professional miscond…
New Rules: Here Are The Guidelines For NJ's Personal Care Businesses New Rules: Here Are The Guidelines For NJ's Personal Care Businesses
New Rules: Here Are The Guidelines For NJ's Personal Care Businesses New Jersey's personal care businesses are going to look a whole lot different. Set to reopen after the COVID-19 shutdown June 22, the salons and parlors will be operating under a new set of standards, released by the state's Division of consumer Affairs. The guidelines apply to beauty salons, barber shops, makeup shops, day and medical spas (not saunas, steam rooms or bathing facilities), electrology facilities, hair braiding shops, massage parlors, nail salons, tanning salons and tattoo parlors. Screening customers and staff no more than 24 hours before a scheduled appointment and immed…
COVID Price Gouging Prompts 3,000 NJ Complaints, 500 AG Warnings, 90 Subpoenas COVID Price Gouging Prompts 3,000 NJ Complaints, 500 AG Warnings, 90 Subpoenas
COVID Price Gouging Prompts 3,000 NJ Complaints, 500 AG Warnings, 90 Subpoenas New Jersey authorities are continuing an ongoing crackdown on price gougers during the coronavirus pandemic. The state Division of Consumer Affairs has issued at least 514 cease-and-desist letters and 89 subpoenas to businesses reported to have violated laws during the pandemic, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Wednesday. The state has so far received 2,978 complaints involving 1,800 businesses related to the COVID-19 emergency, Grewal said.  About 90 percent of the complaints involve inflated prices for surgical masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray and wipes, food, b…
BEWARE: Coronavirus Scammers Calling, Texting, Emailing, Visiting Victims BEWARE: Coronavirus Scammers Calling, Texting, Emailing, Visiting Victims
Beware: Coronavirus Scammers Calling, Texting, Emailing, Visiting Victims As if there wasn’t enough to worry about: Authorities are warning New Jereyans to beware of coronavirus scams. Stay alert and be wary of any call, text, email or stranger at your door, state Attorney Gurbir S. Grewal and officials with the state Division of Consumer Affairs said. Among their warnings: Representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aren’t going door-to-door for any reason, so be sure not to let anyone in who claims to be from the CDC and make sure you call police immediately; There are countless in-store or online advertisements for products that claim…
Authorities Pursue 600+ Price-Gouging Complaints In NJ: Got Any? Authorities Pursue 600+ Price-Gouging Complaints In NJ: Got Any?
Authorities Pursue 600+ Price-Gouging Complaints In NJ: Got Any? New Jersey authorities reported 619 coronavirus-related price gouging complaints from throughout the state as of Tuesday – all of which they said are being investigated. The state Division of Consumer Affairs already was sending 82 cease-and-desist and warning letters to businesses following complaints from customers, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. The number of complaints more than doubled in just five days, when customers in New Jersey had filed 270, Grewal said. Retailers are accused of unfairly raising prices on surgical masks, hand sanitizers, disinfectant sprays and wipes, a…
Store Owner Charged With Endangerment For Selling Homemade Sanitizer That Burned Bergen Boys Store Owner Charged With Endangerment For Selling Homemade Sanitizer That Burned Bergen Boys
Store Owner Charged With Endangerment For Selling Homemade Sanitizer That Burned Bergen Boys Authorities on Tuesday charged the owner of a Bergen County 7-Eleven with child endangerment for selling a sanitizer she mixed herself using a commercial cleanser that ended up burning four local boys. Manisha Bharade, 47, Wood-Ridge also was charged with deceptive business practices before being released on a summons pending court action. Bharade mixed "commercially available foaming sanitizer, which was not meant for resale," with water in pump bottles -- unwittingly causing a harmful chemical reaction -- then sold them for $2.50 each at her store in River Vale, authorities said. “She w…
Store Owner Charged With Endangerment For Selling Homemade Sanitizer That Burned Bergen Boys Store Owner Charged With Endangerment For Selling Homemade Sanitizer That Burned Bergen Boys
Store Owner Charged With Endangerment For Selling Homemade Sanitizer That Burned Bergen Boys UPDATE: Authorities on Tuesday charged the owner of a Bergen County 7-Eleven with child endangerment for selling a sanitizer she mixed herself using a commercial cleanser that ended up burning four local boys. Manisha Bharade, 47, Wood-Ridge also was charged with deceptive business practices before being released on a summons pending court action. Bharade mixed "commercially available foaming sanitizer, which was not meant for resale," with water in pump bottles -- unwittingly causing a harmful chemical reaction -- then sold them for $2.50 each at her store in River Vale, authorities said.…
NJ Authorities Ask Consumers To Report Coronavirus Price Gougers NJ Authorities Ask Consumers To Report Coronavirus Price Gougers
NJ Authorities Ask Consumers To Report Coronavirus Price Gougers Authorities asked New Jersey residents Thursday to report any local merchants charging exorbitant amounts for virus-killing cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and other products. They also threatened to nail gougers. The state Division of Consumer Affairs sent warning letters Thursday to 10 retailers suspected of significantly inflating prices of items associated with the current concerns related to COVID-19, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. The letters warned retailers that New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act (CFA) protects consumers from "gross and unreasonable inflation of the pr…
NJ: Morris County Dentist Who Exposed Patients To Heart Infection Can Resume Practice This Year NJ: Morris County Dentist Who Exposed Patients To Heart Infection Can Resume Practice This Year
NJ: Morris County Dentist Who Exposed Patients To Heart Infection Can Resume Practice This Year A Morris County dentist who exposed more than a dozen patients to a heart infection that killed one of them agreed to a five-year license suspension and thousands of dollars in penalties, authorities said. Because the move includes time already in suspension, John Vecchione will be allowed to begin a probationary period on Aug. 31, provided he follows certain conditions and demonstrates his "fitness and competency to resume practice," Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. Vecchione was temporarily suspended from practice in August 2016 amid allegations that he failed to mai…
Owner Of Berkeley Heights Shelter Lied About Dogs' Illnesses, Prosecutor Says Owner Of Berkeley Heights Shelter Lied About Dogs' Illnesses, Prosecutor Says
Owner Of Berkeley Heights Shelter Lied About Dogs' Illnesses, Prosecutor Says A Warren woman who owns an animal shelter in Berkeley Heights has been accused of falsifying records in an attempt to conceal negative information about the health of dogs from prospective adopters.  The Union County Prosecutor's Office said Friday that 55-year-old Toni Turco, who operates Home for Good Dog Rescue,  has been charged with with 15 counts of fourth-degree falsifying records for the purpose of deceiving prospective pet owners, two counts of fourth-degree knowingly selling and/or exposing to human contact a pet with a contagious or infectious disease, and…
‘Hit & Run’ Dentist With Offices In Passaic, Hudson, Union Gets License Pulled, $517,000 Fine ‘Hit & Run’ Dentist With Offices In Passaic, Hudson, Union Gets License Pulled, $517,000 Fine
‘Hit & Run’ Dentist With Offices In Passaic, Hudson, Union Gets License Pulled, $517,000 Fine An oral surgeon who needlessly pulled teeth and exorbitant payments from patients in Passaic, Hudson, Union and Monmouth counties had his license yanked and was fined more than $500,000, state authorities announced Tuesday. Andrew Maron, 58, had been prohibited from practicing in New Jersey since the state filed negligence, gross negligence and professional misconduct charges against him in 2015. Still, he continued to practice in New York, authorities said. New Jersey authorities said they pursued Maron after receiving complaints from no fewer than 17 patients, including a 93-year-old Medi…
Police: Morris County Contractor, 49, Took $8,000 Without Doing Job Police: Morris County Contractor, 49, Took $8,000 Without Doing Job
Police: Morris County Contractor, 49, Took $8,000 Without Doing Job A 49-year-old Butler man charged a Chatham resident $8,000 for a bathroom renovation that wasn't done, said police who arrested him. Chatham Borough police said James Diliberto was charged with failing to: register with the state Division of Consumer Affairs; provide proof of commercial liability insurance; specify terms of a home improvement contract in writing. Dilberto was released pending a court appearance.
HEADS UP: Home Security Contractor Who Put Camera In River Vale Girl’s Room Was Sex Offender HEADS UP: Home Security Contractor Who Put Camera In River Vale Girl’s Room Was Sex Offender
Heads UP: Home Security Contractor Who Put Camera In River Vale Girl’s Room Was Sex Offender Something wasn’t right about the so-called security expert who installed surveillance cameras around a River Vale couple’s home – and in their young daughter’s playroom. Things got creepier when he insisted that the couple give him the password for their new surveillance system so that he could “troubleshoot” when necessary. It gets worse: They later discovered that the four exterior cameras that he installed fed directly into their DVR but not the one that he put in their daughter’s room. It turns out that Nathan Shane Follis was accused of collecting child pornography in Missouri. He’d …
Bergen, Passaic's 'Dr. Marijuana' Has License Suspended For Thousands Of Indiscriminate Scripts Bergen, Passaic's 'Dr. Marijuana' Has License Suspended For Thousands Of Indiscriminate Scripts
Bergen, Passaic's 'Dr. Marijuana' Has License Suspended For Thousands Of Indiscriminate Scripts A physician who had offices in East Rutherford and Clifton had his license in the state’s medical marijuana program temporarily suspended for “creating a multimillion-dollar enterprise by indiscriminately authorizing marijuana use for thousands of patients he met in hotel conference centers” across New Jersey, authorities said Thursday. Dr. Anthony Anzalone, 66 -- who has been a registered participant in the MMP since 2012 – “must wind down his medical practice within the next 30 days and cease practicing medicine altogether on February 8, under the terms of an Interim Consent Order he enter…
FINED: River Vale Hustler Used Investments For Strip Club, Limos, More FINED: River Vale Hustler Used Investments For Strip Club, Limos, More
Fined: River Vale Hustler Used Investments For Strip Club, Limos, More Investors who “thought they were getting in on the ground floor of a legitimate business venture” were instead funding the lavish lifestyle of a River Vale man who used their money on steak dinners, limo service, $8,800 worth of visits to a strip club and other personal expenses, authorities charged. Eric J. Bruno and his company, Mirakill Brands, “misled at least eight investors – including at least seven from New Jersey – into buying unregistered securities in the form of membership interests and warrants to buy membership interests in Mirakill,” state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal sai…
NJAG: Clifton Ortho Doc Who Freely Doled Out Opioids Barred From Practice NJAG: Clifton Ortho Doc Who Freely Doled Out Opioids Barred From Practice
Njag: Clifton Ortho Doc Who Freely Doled Out Opioids Barred From Practice CLIFTON, N.J. -- A Clifton orthopedic surgeon who prescribed addictive opioid painkillers to patients who abused the drugs, sold them on the black market or otherwise didn't need them has been temporarily barred from practicing medicine. Evangelos Megariotis told one patient that "anything that drugs can do on the street, my medications will do better and safer” and to “just call me,” state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Thursday. He also treated patient complaints of hyper tension, upper respiratory issues, ADD, PTS and other conditions with drugs -- among them, Xanax, Adderal…