Home WAYEL A. MOUSTAFA vs. BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN MEDICINE.

424 Mass. 1014

February 11, 1997

James F. McNiff, II, for the plaintiff.

Edward J. DeAngelo, Assistant Attorney General, for the Board of Registration in Medicine.

The plaintiff doctor appeals from a judgment entered by a single justice of this court denying the doctor's petition seeking reversal of a decision of the Board of Registration in Medicine (board) revoking his limited license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth. The board adopted recommended decision of an administrative magistrate that the board met its burden of proving that the doctor had sexually abused a patient in her home, thus warranting imposition of discipline.

There was substantial evidence that supported the board's decision. The doctor challenges the credibility of the complaining patient, an issue for the administrative magistrate and not for this court. The single justice adequately dealt with the doctor's various contentions. There is no reason for this court to repeal his analysis.

Judgment affirmed.

Home JOHN H. KELLEHER vs. BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY.

424 Mass. 1014

February 13, 1997

John G. Neylon & Kevin D. McCann for the plaintiff.

Pierce O. Cray, Assistant Attorney General, for the Board of Public Accountancy.

The plaintiff, John Kelleher, appeals from a decision of a single justice of this court. The single justice affirmed an amended decision of the Board of Public Accountancy (board) to impose sanctions on the plaintiff for false and misleading advertisements. On appeal, the plaintiff claims the single justice erred on two issues. [Note 1] We agree with the decision of the single justice.

The plaintiff argues that the single justice erred in concluding that the advertisements were misleading and deceptive. The advertisements are before us as well as the plaintiffs testimony. Three of the four advertisements listed persons as "contacts" in the firm. However, these individuals, according to the plaintiff, were independent contractors whom he consulted on occasion. One of these advertisements listed a person's name above the firm name and designation "Certified Public Accountants," though this person was neither an employee nor a licensed public accountant. The fourth advertisement listed seven individuals, other than the plaintiff, under the firm's name and the heading "professional staff." Six of those people never had been employed by the firm but rather had been consulted occasionally.

After de novo review of the plaintiff's testimony and the advertisements, we also conclude that the advertisements were misleading and deceptive. As the single justice noted, "After reading these materials, the ordinary consumer is likely to believe that the firm's 'contacts' and 'professional staff' are employed on a permanent basis, thus lending a sense of prestige to the firm that would not exist if it were clear that these individuals were used as consultants."

Page 1015

The plaintiff's reliance on Peel v. Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Comm'n of Ill., 496 U.S. 91 (1990), is misplaced. By representing as employees persons who were met employed by the firm, the plaintiffs advertisements were misleading and not simply subject to misinterpretation. See In re R.M.J., 455 U.S. 191, 203 (1982). See also Gurry v. Board of Pub. Accountancy, 394 Mass. 118 (1985); 252 Code Mass. Regs. s. 3.05 (1) (1993).

The plaintiff also alleges that the single justice erred in concluding that the show cause order adequately informed him of the charges. The order to show cause stated that the board was proceeding pursuant to 252 Code Mass. Regs. s. 3.05 (2) (a) (1993), which prohibits, under subsection (1), "false, deceptive or misleading" advertising. The show cause order stated specifically that "his advertisements are deceptive and misleading" and that his advertisement lists "three unlicensed individuals which falsely misleads the public as to the form of practice and persons who are partners of the firm" (emphasis added). The charges on which the board imposed sanctions are consistent with the show cause order. See 801 Code Mass. Regs. s. 1.01 (6) (d) (1993).

Judgment affirmed.


FOOTNOTES

[Note 1] The plaintiff also appeals the issues fully discussed in the single justice's memorandum and order. We address only the two issues in which the plaintiff claims error by the single justice.