Police Briefs 06-13-2012

PHYSICIAN FINED BY AG

A Revere physician who improperly charged a $185 administrative fee in addition to MassHealth reimbursements for opioid addiction treatment (Suboxone) will pay more than $53,000 in restitution, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced last week.

“Our office will make sure that access to addiction treatment is not restricted by providers requiring illegal cash payments,” Coakley said. “We are happy that we obtained restitution for those battling drug addiction who were allegedly taken advantage of when they needed help the most.”

Randall Bock, M.D., was referred to the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division by MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, for allegations of improperly taking an “administrative fee” of $185 from MassHealth members in addition to taking MassHealth reimbursement for opioid addiction treatment with the drugs Suboxone and Subutex. Suboxone is the brand name for the combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, an alternative to methadone that must be administered daily in a federally approved clinic setting. Suboxone was approved by the FDA for office-based treatment of opioid addiction in October 2002.

The demand for Suboxone treatment far exceeds the supply of physicians authorized to prescribe it in Massachusetts. Only about 2 percent of Massachusetts physicians are authorized. As a result, some physicians have taken advantage of this supply-demand imbalance by charging patients cash in addition to MassHealth reimbursement for Suboxone treatment.

This practice is illegal.

MassHealth members may only be charged a small co-payment for certain drugs and inpatient hospital stays. Physicians are not allowed to charge co-payments to MassHealth members for office visits. Any MassHealth member who feels that he or she is being charged an illegal copayment for MassHealth services or goods is urged to call the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Complaint Line at (617) 963-2360 or use the online Medicaid Fraud Complaint Form.

Dr. Bock cooperated fully with the Attorney General’s Office in this investigation. By entering into the settlement agreement, Dr. Bock does not admit or deny the allegations.

ARRESTS TO COME SOON IN ROBBERY

Police are expected to announce arrests this week in conjunction to a robbery at knifepoint of a Warren Street youth last Thursday night.

A group of young men called the youth around 11 p.m. last Thursday and asked to meet him at the Walgreen’s.

When he showed up, the young men pulled a knife on him and ordered him to go to the ATM and withdraw cash. The youth followed orders and the young men stole the money and fled.

Later, the young men called again and told the victim that they had purchased alcohol with the money and wanted to come over a drink it at his house.

The youth, instead, told them he wanted his money back. They told him to meet them at Hill Park.

Once at Hill Park, the young men again pulled a knife, assaulted the youth and stole his iPod, cell phone and wallet.

Officers indicated the young men involved are well known to police and are being sought.

TAGGERS TAKEN DOWN

On Friday, June 8, troopers from the State Police Barracks in Revere were contacted by a Department of Conservation and Recreation manager who reported vandalism at the William G. Reinstein Bandstand across from Doris Park on the Boulevard. DCR workers had come across two young men who had just finished spray painting, or “tagging,” a wall and were now photographing it. The DCR manager was able to provide a description of the suspects and informed troopers that the suspects had discarded several cans of spray paint in a nearby trash can.

Troopers John Phonesavanh and Joseph Barteaux stopped two men on bicycles based on the description provided to the barracks and questioned them about the vandalism. The two suspects were found to have cans of spray paint in their backpacks and had paint on their hands. Troopers also recovered several cans of spray paint from a nearby trash bin. The two suspects were placed into custody and transported to the Revere State Police Barracks. Arrested and charged with tagging property and willful and malicious destruction of public property over $250 dollars were Jorge Maldonado, 22, and Mark Church, 21, both of Revere

ALTERCATION ON WARREN STREET

An argument between a man and woman on Warren Street, and the intervention by one neighbor, led to two arrests and quite a scene on the street Sunday night.

Police responded around 6:45 p.m. to 28 Warren St. for a disturbance, but found several people outside upon arrival and a major altercation underway.

The melee started when two tenants at the home were arguing outside and a neighbor opened a window and told them to be quiet. That two then turned their angst upon the neighbor and the matter escalated.

Police learned that the man and woman were in the process of being evicted from the apartment.

John Cataldo Jr., 55, of 28 Warren St. was charged with disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. Denise Cataldo, 48, of 28 Warren St., was charged with disorderly conduct.

CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION

One Jones Road man is accused of assaulting his neighbor’s son and attempting to commit a Civil Rights Violation during an altercation Friday night.

The dispute between neighbors erupted at 64 Jones Rd. around 10:15 p.m. on Friday between the two men, with the suspect allegedly being intoxicated and pulling a knife of the son. The suspect also allegedly made some remarks that violated the son’s Civil Rights too.

John Pisano, 49, of 64 Jones Rd., was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery and attempted Civil Rights violation.

ONE STOP ROBBED

An Hispanic man in a white hoodie entered the popular One Stop Convenience Store around 9:45 p.m. last Thursday.

He pulled out a silver handgun and cocked back the hammer – appearing ready to fire as he demanded money.

The clerk ducked under the counter for cover and heaved a gallon of water at the man.

The suspect then retreated, putting the gun away and fleeing. No money was taken and officers are following up the matter.

BATES ROBBERY

Two males reported robbed a victim on Bates Street last Tuesday, June 5th, around 9:45 p.m.

The victim told police he was walking down Bates Street when two males approached him and drew out a silver handgun. They demanded money and stole $130 cash.

After taking the money, they fled to Beach Street.

The men were described as being 5’10” tall and being light-skinned Hispanic males in their 20s.

Weekly Crime Report

House Breaks: (4)

Agawam Street; Roosevelt Street (2); and Revere Street.

Commercial Breaks: (0)

Motor Vehicle *Thefts/Breaks: (6)

Prospect Avenue; *Proctor Avenue; *Revere Street – Kinship; Overlook Ridge Terr.; *Proctor Avenue; and Broadway.

Motor Vehicle Accidents: (35)

Copeland Circle (4); Mahoney Circle (2); Lee Burbank Hwy; John Avenue; Revere Street – Paul Revere; North Shore Rd – Peter’s; Furlong Drive – Stop & Shop; Park Avenue; Bradstreet Avenue; Bennett Highway; North Shore Road; Park Avenue – Stadium; Ward Street – BJ’s; Beach/Shirley; Broadway/Pleasant; Salem Street/Overlook Ridge; Salem Street/Overlook Ridge; School Street; Cushman/Adams; Broadway – Domino’s; Squire Road – Stop & Shop; Charger Street/Ward; VFW – Select Rental; Broadway – City Hall; Mill Street; North Shore Road – Wharf; Shirley Avenue – Tedeschi’s; Mountain Ave/Broadway; Park/Foster; Revere/Hutchinson; and Boulevard.

House Parties/Loud Stereo Complaints (after 9 p.m.): 13

ARREST Report

MONDAY, JUNE 4

Noelle M. Keane, 32, of 364 Ocean Ave., was arrested on an outstanding warrant and on charges of malicious destruction of property under $250, assault & battery upon a police officer, and resisting arrest.

WEDNESDAY,  JUNE 6

Andrew Spinney, 19, of 17 McClure St., was arrested on charges of causing a disturbance at a school and disturbing the peace.

THURSDAY, JUNE 7

Khary T. Barrow, 32, of Dorchester, was arrested on charges of illegal possession of a knife in violation of the city ordinance and illegal possession of a Class C controlled narcotic substance.

Marcello Guarino, 29, of160 Reservoir Ave., was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

A 16 year old juvenile was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Anthony Tedesco, 35, of 48 Jarvis St., was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

FRIDAY, JUNE 8

Michael J. Johnson, 27, of 181 Campbell Ave., was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

John W. Pisano, 49, of 64 Jones Rd., was arrested on charges of assault & battery, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, and attempting to commit a civil rights violation.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9

Melissa J. Hardy, 33, of 14 Thompson Drive, was  arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Maureen C. Pavone, 47, of 64 Jones Rd., was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

SUNDAY, JUNE 10

Horn Ouch, 43, of 67 Franklin Ave., was arrested on charges of assault & battery and malicious destruction of property over $250.

Cheryl A. Kenney, 31, of Winthrop, was arrested on a charge of being rude & disorderly in violation of the city ordinance.

John S. Cataldo Jr., 55, of 28 Warren St., was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, assault & battery upon a police officer, and resisting arrest.

Denise H. Cataldo, 46, of 28 Warren St., was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct.