NEWARK
— The Attorney General’s Office
and Division of Consumer Affairs have reached
a settlement with the owner of a Basking
Ridge spa and three members of her family
after they admitted offering to provide
medical, cosmetology and counseling services
while not licensed to do so, New Jersey
Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director
Stephen Nolan announced today.
The
state’s complaint, filed in May, 2006,
alleged Judith Page (a/k/a Judith Yorio),
Kiyosha Watts and Courtney Yorio each falsely
represented themselves as professionals
in the medical, social work, and cosmetology
fields and violated New Jersey’s Consumer
Fraud Act.
“Proper
licensing assures consumers that they are
entrusting their care to properly trained
and educated professionals who meet state
standards. Unlicensed practice is illegal,
puts consumers at unnecessary risk and is
an insult to bonafide healthcare providers,”
Acting Attorney General Milgram said.
“Because these individuals masqueraded
as various professionals, we took a multi-board
approach to resolve this case and to get
restitution for affected consumers,”
Acting Director Nolan said.
The
state boards of Medical Examiners, Cosmetology
and Hairstyling, Psychological Examiners,
Social Work Examiners, Marriage and Family
Therapy Examiners and the Professional Counselor
Examiners Committee were also plaintiffs.
Under
the terms of the settlement, Page, Watts,
and Courtney Yorio are prohibited from engaging
in the unlicensed practice of medicine and
surgery, counseling and/or mental health
services, and cosmetology.
The
defendants are permanently barred from engaging
in or advertising the performance of any
mental health counseling services; and the
performance of facials, microdermabrasion,
glycolic peels, examining and diagnosing
patients, recommending dietary supplements,
administering Botox, Mesotherapy, and/or
Restylane injections
The
state ordered a total amount of $113,272.50
in restitution to approximately 80 affected
consumers and $57,500 in investigative costs
and civil monetary penalties.
“We hold all licensed professionals
to the highest level of integrity,”
Acting Director Nolan said. "Consumers
should always call to check with Consumer
Affairs to ensure that their doctors, psychologists,
and cosmetologists and any mental health
counselor are licensed and in good standing
before undergoing any procedures.”
The
defendants admitted to engaging in the unlicensed
practice of a variety of medical, cosmetology
and counseling services that are regulated
by the state and can only be performed by
licensed practitioners.
This
is not the first time the state has taken
legal action against Page. Page previously
was barred from holding herself out as a
social worker and from offering psychotherapeutic
counseling services unless certified or
licensed to do so. Under the terms of a
March 3, 1997 consent order, Page was ordered
to pay restitution, investigative costs
and penalties.
Deputy Attorney General Susan C. Berger
of the Division of Law is handling this
case for the state.
The
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
is encouraging clients of Roberta Medi-Spa
who received cosmetology, counseling and/or
medical services from the defendants to
contact the Division of Consumer Affairs
at 973-504-6327.
#
# # |
