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Police: Duluth clinic had 2 phony practitioners


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/27/08

Two people were arrested Wednesday for allegedly practicing medicine without a license at a Duluth clinic that catered to Hispanics.

Authorities conducted a morning raid at Clinica Sante Fe at 3750 Venture Drive following months-long investigation that began late last year.

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"They looked I guess somewhat legitimate," said Gwinnett Sheriff's spokeswoman Stacey Bourbonnais, explaining that the clinic had signs posted outside saying they accept Medicaid.

An undercover deputy went to the clinic with a bone spur, but the suspects diagnosed the deputy with something else, Bourbonnais said. Several other patients who were treated at the clinic had to seek treatment later at Gwinnett Medical Center, Bourbonnais said.

Bourbonnais didn't know whether those patients were actually injured by the phony medical staff or whether their conditions had just deteriorated.

Manuel Lozano, 43, of Suwanee, and Sheila Colon-Villarrubia, 27, of Norcross, are charged with practicing medicine without a license. Lozano, a native of Columbia, was arrested earlier this year on a charge of deposit account fraud, jail records show.

He and Colon-Villarrubia had not yet been booked into the Gwinnett jail as of midday Wednesday because they were still being interviewed by investigators.

Bourbonnais said she expects more arrests to be made in connection with the investigation.

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