CA medical board steps up investigations of fake doctors

The Medical Board of CA has investigated a mounting number of people posing as doctors and offering risky treatments, including a San Francisco man who performed liposuction while smoking a cigar and a San Diego woman who sickened a patient with lengthy IV infusion treatments. The investigative unit, called Operation Safe Medicine, sent 61 cases to prosecutors for review for the fiscal year ending in June. Its investigations have resulted in six felony convictions and 18 misdemeanor convictions. Lawmakers will consider expanding that enforcement team and other issues brought forward in the report during hearings next year.