Australian psychiatrist suspended for six months for fraud

January 24, 2018

Australian psychiatrist Pralay Mazumdar, who pleaded guilty three years ago to defrauding the Victorian WorkCover Authority of $44,539.78 over an 18-month period, has been reprimanded and had his medical license suspended for six months.  

Dr. Mazumdar was convicted of two counts each of fraudulently obtaining payments, knowingly providing false information, and providing false information. He was sentenced to a suspended six-month jail term and fined $5000. He also repaid the stolen money.  On appeal, Dr Mazumdar’s jail sentence was set aside and a two-year community corrections order of 350 hours of community service was imposed instead.

Now more than three years later, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has approved the Medical Board of Australia’s recommendation to reprimand and suspend him for six months.  VCAT determined Dr Mazumdar engaged in professional misconduct and unprofessional conduct and would undergo training, mentoring and auditing for 12 months following his suspension.

SOURCE: Peter Mickelburough, "Psychiatrist suspended three years after admitting phantom treatments," Herald Sun, 22 Jan 2018, http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/psychiatrist-suspended-three-years-after-admitting-phantom-treatments/news-story/a45a602197542d4dd8304dee635d226d.