boca raton

Why it's Dangerous to be a Pain Clinic Doctor in Palm Beach County

Andrew Stine — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:53:03 GMT

There have been three pain clinic raids in the last 10 days in Palm Beach County. According to an article in WPTV news, Palm Beach County Police have been sweeping the county and cracking down on unregistered pain clinics and digging up more information on clinics that seem to be participating in suspicious activities. If you are a doctor or an owner of a pain clinic, tread with caution as you are now in the spot light of Palm Beach County Police.

Pain Clinics Under Scrutiny

According to the article, a Boca Raton doctor is behind bars, accused of handing out pain medications. Palm Beach County Sheriff Deputies raided the Southern Care Pain Management and Wellness Center in Palm Springs Friday. This is the third raid of a suspected pain clinic in Palm Beach County in 10 days. An undercover operation put Doctor Marvin Reich in jail, for allegedly writing fake prescriptions for oxycodone and other narcotics.

Deputies loaded boxes of medical and financial files into the back of a box truck. Detectives say the clinic is not registered in Florida.

"Well he (Reich) is an eye doctor, and he's in a pain clinic. There's no medical stuff inside the facility for any type of eye exams, let's put it that way," says Lt. Bruce Hannan, with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The clinic's owner, 57-year-old Glen Smith Jr., of Lake Worth was also arrested. Both men are charged with running an unregistered pain clinic. If convicted the most time Dr. Reich or the owner could spend in prison is five or six years. Detectives say the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests may follow.

Prescription Drug Criminal Defense

While five or six years in prison may not seem like a hefty consequence, being charged with drug trafficking or prescription drug trafficking can rack up serious consequences. With the help of a criminal defense lawyer, you might be able to lower your fines and the amount of time you'll spend in prison if you have been charged with drug trafficking. Doctors especially need the help of a criminal defense lawyer because they run the risk of losing their licenses.

Distributed by Viestly

How do Ponzi Schemes in South Florida Work?

Andrew Stine — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:18:55 GMT

A Ponzi scheme is a specific type of fraudulent investment. It is the act of using money received from investors to pay off other investors and personal expenses. Ponzi schemes are tactically organized to avoid using real profit for payments.

Usually when a Ponzi scheme makes the news, it involves short-term returns that are abnormally high – making the perpetrator more noticeable. Ponzi schemes only work if there is an increasing flow of money from investors. Without an increasing amount, the plan will eventually collapse in on itself if the money flowing in is not enough for return payments to the investors involved.

Ponzi Schemes in South Florida

A South Florida real estate talk show host was arrested last week and accused of creating a Ponzi scheme. Anthony F. Cutaia was accused of recruiting investors for commercial real estate projects organized by his own company in Boca Raton, CMG Property Investment Group, according to WPTV News.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a complaint Friday discussing the scheme. Cutaia allegedly invested little of the investors’ money and instead used it to pay off other investors and pay personal and business expenses, according to the complaint.

This is a classic example of a Ponzi scheme where the money just ran out.

Cutaia, host of “Talk About Mortgages and Real Estate,” could be facing a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Fraud Criminal Defense

Fraud charges in the state of Florida are taken very seriously. Depending on the amount of money you are accused of, the minimum years in prison can vary between five and 30 years. The fine can vary from $5,000 to $300,000. If you have been accused of fraud, or worse, creating a Ponzi scheme, you need a criminal defense lawyer in your arsenal immediately. Only a criminal defense lawyer will be able to understand your circumstances and help avoid maximum sentences.

Distributed by Viestly

How Accidental Crimes Can Land You in Prison

Andrew Stine — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:35:59 GMT

South Florida is known for it’s beaches, city life, and warm weather. South Florida can also be known for it’s severely high crime rate, mostly relating to drugs and robbery. However, because south Floridians are known to spend a lot of time by the beach, many crimes can happen on water too.

According to an article in WPTV News, a Highland Beach boater was charged with negligence and carelessness, weeks after his powerboat propeller cut into a scuba diver near the Boca Inlet.

Jon Berger, 64, was driving the Sea Fox powerboat when the propeller of the 28-foot boat sliced into a scuba diver James Shelley, 46, on January 22. The accident was also caused because Berger failed to stay at least 300 feet away from a diver down flag.

Shelley was taken in critical condition to Delray Medical Center and was released days later, according to the article. Berger was charged with culpable negligence and careless operation resulting in a boating accident, according to the article.

Culpable negligence can result in up to a fully year in jail and $1,000 in fines if convicted.

Culpable Negligence and the Law

Florida State Law requires boaters to stay at least 100 feet away from a scuba diver’s flag within a river, inlet, or channel. When in open water, boats need to make a measurable effort to stay 300 feet away from flags, moving at idle speed within the area of the flag.

According to the article, 22 scuba divers in Florida were injured or killed after being run over by a boat between 2004 and 2009.

Criminal Defense

If you have accidentally committed a crime because you were negligent or unaware of your surroundings, it is extremely important to speak with a criminal defense lawyer. While it may have been a complete accident, you are still held responsible by the law. Have a criminal defense lawyer explain exactly what might happen and what you can do to improve your defense.

Distributed by Viestly