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MQA Q1 2014 - 2015
Unlicensed Activity
Partnerships aid success
8
This section explains how MQA stops
unlicensed practitioners: those individuals
who perform regulated activities without
the proper licensing in Florida, which is
commonly a felony-level criminal offense.
Treatment by an unlicensed provider is
dangerous and could result in further
injury, disease or even death. When
practitioners pay their licensing fees, $5 is
designated specifically for enforcement of
unlicensed activity.
The Investigation Services Unit’s unlicensed activity
program was busy during the months of July, August
and September working undercover, integrating efforts
with local law enforcement and educating partners
and the public about the dangers of using unregulated
service providers.
The ULA liaison made presentations to the following
groups outlining the program, providing marketing
materials and fostering partnerships:
• Board of Hearing Aid Specialists
• Florida Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
• Board of Athletic Trainers
• Edgewater Police Department
• Board Chair Meeting
Also, top managers met separately with the inspector
general for the Department of Children and Families
and chief investigators from the Attorney General’s
Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The Bureau of
Enforcement participates regularly on the Interagency
Fraud and Abuse Task Force spearheaded by the
(MFCU). Representatives also participated in the
Consumer Roundtable hosted by the Florida Bar with
multiple agencies to discuss emerging trends that
cause consumers to call state agencies.
However, the best way MQA gets out the word on
unlicensed activity is when investigators make a case
and issue a cease-and-desist notice to an unlicensed
practitioner, and our law enforcement partners make
an arrest. People realize this dangerous activity is
happening in their neighborhood and they realize there
is something they can do about it.
In fact, a previous investigation that led to the arrest
of Lynnette Blake resulted this quarter in a conviction
on all counts, and Blake was sentenced to 15 years
in prison. MQA investigators worked with the Martin
County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 to build a case against
the woman, who claimed to be a naturopathy doctor
and exempt from Florida law requiring licensing.
However, investigators interviewed patients who
said she placed tooth bleaching substances in their
mouths. In 2013, Blake was issued cease and desist
orders and citations.
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