(LOS ANGELES) — The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office is asking for victims of a man accused of impersonating a doctor to come forward.
Stephan Gevorkian, 44, was charged with five felony counts of practicing medicine without a certification, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
“Practicing medicine without a license is not only a criminal activity in California, it can cause irreparable harm to the health of unsuspecting people, some with serious illnesses, who believe they are under the care of a licensed physician,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. Gevorkian allegedly practiced medicine without a license on thousands of people for several years, the DA’s office said.
Gevorkian was arraigned on Friday and was released on his own recognizance without bail under the condition he no longer practice medicine, the LA County DA’s office told ABC News.
The DA’s office asked for anyone who believes they’ve been a victim in this case to call the Consumer Protection hotline at 213-257-2465.
According to the DA, an investigator, posing undercover, received consulting from Gevorkian in November 2022 at Pathways Medical in North Hollywood.
“The business conducts blood tests on patients, advises them on treatments and offers treatment for serious conditions including cancer and viral infections,” the DA’s office said.
Officials allege that, during the consultation, Gevorkian did not properly address abnormal hormone levels that could suggest a serious medical issue.
“Criminal charges by their very nature are unproven accusations. It’s important to acknowledge that what is thought to be known or understood early on is not always the case in the end, Gevorkian’s attorney, Justin E. Sterling, told ABC News in a statement on Tuesday. “Mr. Gevorkian is complying with all orders of the court and looks forward to vigorously defending himself against these allegations.”
In a statement to ABC News, the California Medical Board said, “the unlicensed practice of medicine is a serious violation of the public’s trust and places patients’ lives in danger.”
The board also encouraged people seeking healthcare treatment in the state to verify their medical professional’s license with California’s Department of Consumer Affairs.
Gevorkian does not appear on the department’s website.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 24, the DA’s office said.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs is investigating the case.
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