A woman in New Jersey allegedly passed herself off as an actual doctor for over a year, prescribing medication, including controlled substances, before she was busted.
Maria F. Macburnie, 62, was charged on Thursday with practicing medicine by an unlicensed person, forgery, health care claims fraud, and three counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. She was also known as Marife L. Macburnie.
Prosecutors contend that the imposter treated patients between March 2022 and June 2023 at Shore Medical Associates in Toms River, Fox News reported.
Macburnie used the name Dr. Fe Almazon-Condit, who is a relative of hers and is a licensed physician. The relative reportedly seems to not be reachable at this point.
Authorities are contending that aside from playing doctor and prescribing medicine, Macburnie also filed insurance claims, fraudulently billing her services when her relative could not see patients. It was an impressive scam.
In a disturbing turn of events, when Fox News Digital contacted Shore Medical Associates, they got a recording that said the office was now permanently closed and patients should get medical assistance somewhere else. That seems to possibly indicate that the office was running the scam or at least, had something to do with it.
Patients of the Toms River office allegedly used by Macburnie are advised in its automated phone greeting to send an email to request their medical records.
Macburnie was arrested on Wednesday and was booked into the Ocean County Jail. The woman was taken into custody without incident. She was awaiting a detention hearing and it is unknown if she retained an attorney or if she has been released, according to CNN.
Toms River, #NewJersey woman Maria F. Macburnie was arrested for posing as a Doctor at Shore Medical Associates for over a year.
She was seeing patients and writing scripts, including for controlled substances. https://t.co/nC6upTxB3c
— MissMAGA2016 (@MissMaga2016) July 27, 2023
LMAO, here is the office’s “About Us” blurb, but OHHHHHHHHHH, look at this!
The actual Doctor (who is her relative) performs “Green Card medical exams for USCIS immigration!https://t.co/aUxMrFEvBZ pic.twitter.com/syQditJC7n
— MissMAGA2016 (@MissMaga2016) July 27, 2023
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz are urging anyone who believes they were seen and/or treated by Macburnie to contact Detective Joseph Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad at 732-929-2027, ext. 3532.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the economic crimes unit of the prosecutor’s office, and the Toms River Township Police Department all assisted in the investigation, the prosecutor’s office said.
Toms River, a township on the Jersey Shore, is approximately 60 miles east of Philadelphia.
Many wonder how she went so long without being caught:
Amazing. I wonder how they finally caught her
— Jeff Chanowski (@ChanowskiJeff) July 29, 2023
Wait the pharmacy filled her scripts for that long?!?!
— ACME INC (@pandaman8080) July 29, 2023
How on earth could this has been possible for years. These things happen when you allow a non-merit system to guide your operations. I’m not happy about this.
— Odukoke Ayoola (@odukoke) July 29, 2023
Honestly there’s a lot of mediocre big Pharma cringing doctors out there.
— jara (@betojaral) July 29, 2023
That is truly alarming and dangerous! It’s crucial to always verify the credentials of medical professionals before seeking their care. #StaySafe
— kintananggia (@kintananggia) July 29, 2023
Didn’t the patients realize she wasn’t their doctor???
— TheBitchIsBack (@hotnostril) July 29, 2023
How did she get away with that for a full year
— GB (@GB796136451) July 29, 2023
She identified as a doctor, therefore she is one!
— Faatos Dor (@faatosdour) July 28, 2023
Get the latest BPR news delivered free to your inbox daily. SIGN UP HERE
- Freedom of speech is on this ballot. UK-like rules, imprisonments for violations seem imminent with Kamala - November 4, 2024
- ‘I’m done!’ Hugh Hewitt rips off headset, storms off ‘unfair’ WaPo Live stream - November 1, 2024
- With 1 week to go, Jared Kushner talks chances of Ivanka pitching in to help Trump get elected - October 30, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.