Chiropractor Pleads to Felony Practicing Medicine without License, Grand Theft
DATE: February 14, 2018
CASE: James Joseph Martin (Case #16FE010473)
PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney David Brown, Consumer & Environmental Protection Division
James Joseph Martin pled guilty to three counts of practicing medicine without a license, four counts of grand theft by false pretenses and misdemeanor charges of illegally using ‘MD’ and ‘physician’ in advertisements.
Martin regularly appeared on a local television program, Sac & Co. His infomercials were designed to look like an interview. Martin, a licensed chiropractor, portrayed himself as a functional neurologist who practiced metabolic or pastoral medicine, specializing in treating conditions of the thyroid, neuropathy and other health conditions. Many of Martin’s patients thought he was a medical doctor. Some patients paid thousands of dollars for his treatment, which primarily consisted of Martin prescribing over the counter supplements and then selling them at a significant mark up.
Martin will be sentenced to 1 year in jail and ordered to pay restitution to all victims named in the complaint. Additionally, he will be on felony probation for 5 years, required to surrender his chiropractic license and prohibited from portraying himself as someone who practices functional or pastoral medicine.
Sentencing is set for May 29, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 62 before the Honorable Patrick Marlette.