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MQA Q3 2014 - 2015
Crime Fighting Partners
10
From educating the public, conducting complex
investigations, to issuing emergency restriction and
suspension orders, the Department of Health’s Bureau
of Enforcement is dedicated to protecting the people of
Florida and remaining at the forefront of health
care regulation.
The bureau has long standing partnerships with law
enforcement, state attorney’s offices, as well as other
state agencies to enforce health care practitioner
regulations and to prosecute individuals practicing
without a license. Department of Health Investigators
often work with these law enforcement partners,
who often make an arrest in conjunction with the
Department’s notice to cease and desist.
During the third quarter, MQA’s Unlicensed Activity Unit
conducted joint operations that led to several arrests:
• The Orlando Unlicensed Activity Unit’s joint
investigation with the Metropolitan Bureau of
Investigation (MBI) led to the arrest of Pong
Su Song for the alleged unlicensed practice of
dentistry. Following a complaint that Song was
taking dental impressions, fabricating and fitting
gold teeth and gold grills, Department of Health
investigators traveled to J.D. Gold where Song
was observed selling gold teeth to customers.
Investigators also noticed other employees taking
dental impressions and fitting gold teeth. Since
gold teeth and grills are considered artificial
substitutes for natural teeth, they can only be
prepared and fitted by licensed dentists. Song
was issued a Notice to Cease and Desist and a
Uniform Unlicensed Activity Citation in the amount
of $3428.90. MBI obtained a search and arrest
warrant for Song and conducted a successful
operation that resulted in the seizure of compound
dental materials, paste, impressions, and cash.
• The Alachua Unlicensed Activity Unit’s joint
investigation with the Citrus County Sheriff’s
Office led to the arrest of Kerry Scott Hanson
for the alleged unlicensed practice of massage
therapy and for operating an unlicensed massage
establishment. This is a first degree misdemeanor
and punishable by imprisonment not exceeding
one year. The joint operation was conducted
on February 10, 2015, at Spa Westlaw, when
Hanson stated he could provide a massage to an
undercover officer. Alachua ULA office investigators
hand served a Notice to Cease and Desist and an
Uniform Unlicensed Activity Citation for operating
an unlicensed massage establishment.
The ULA program continues to grow and has added six
investigators statewide to better serve each regional
office. Consumers are encouraged to verify the license
of their health care provider by utilizing the www.
flhealthsource.gov website, or calling 877-HALT-ULA
where they can speak directly with an investigator in
the Consumer Services Unit. Suspicious or potentially
unlicensed activity tips can also be emailed to
haltula@flheath.gov.
Pictured here are gold teeth and money collected
from a search warrant conducted by the Metropolitan
Bureau of Investigation (MBI). Since the joint
investigation the business has been sold and gold
teeth are no longer produced illegally in that location.