Two men were arrested on Tuesday for running a "dental scheme" in the town of Afton in Chenango County, according to the New York State Police out of Sidney.
The two men, 57-year-old Victor Nino and 49-year-old Virgilio Taveras, reportedly ran the "Dental Care" dentist office on County Route 39. They were charged with insurance fraud and with practicing dentistry without a license.
The Daily Star did some legwork on the story and discovered that the two men sometimes used the name "Dr. Michael Goodman" and that Nino's wife, Ketly, is a licensed dentist but no longer works at the office:
Nino and Taveras are accused of stealing property valued at more than $3,000 and practicing dentistry without a license. Nino made dentures and owns the building where the practice is located, the complaint said.
Nino's wife, Ketly Nino, is licensed to practice dentistry but left in September for health reasons.
After she left, he allegedly did dental work, including fillings, examinations and cleanings.
Goodman did extractions, fillings, cleanings, root canals and crown work, office staff told an investigator.
Medicaid was billed under Ketly Nino's name, the complaints said, and she also is enrolled as a Medicaid provider of dental services at an office in Jamaica, Queens.
Here's the State Police press release in full:
Arrests Made In Dental Scheme
(Sidney, N.Y., May 11, 2011) On Tuesday, May 10, 2011, the New York State Office of the Attorney General (Medicaid Fraud Control Unit) and the New York State Police in Sidney, New York, arrested VICTOR NINO, age 57, of Uniondale, New York, and VIRGILIO TAVERAS, age 49, of Holles, N.Y., both for the Class "D" Felony of Grand Larceny 3rd degree (Section 155.35 of the Penal Law), and the Class "E" Felony of Unauthorized Practice (Section 6512 of the Education Law).
The arrests were made following a joint investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s office and the New York State Police regarding insurance fraud and unlicensed practitioners at the "Dental Care" Dentist Office located on County Route 39 in the Town of Afton, Chenango County, N.Y.
The defendants were arraigned in the Town of Afton Court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail/ $40,000 property bond. The investigation is continuing.
If anyone has information or concerns regarding this dental office, they are asked to contact the New York State Office of the Attorney General at (315) 423-1104, and specify that the information or inquiry is for the "Dental Care" investigation.
