NEWARK — The New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners has suspended the license of a Ridgewood chiropractor after finding that he engaged in professional misconduct by paying or offering to pay for the referral of patients, Attorney General Zulima V. Farber and Consumer Affairs Director Kimberly Ricketts announced.

Dr. Craig Klein is subject to a five-year suspension of his license under the terms of a final order entered by the Board on February 16, 2006. The suspension took effect immediately.

"Let this serve as clear notice to all health care professionals: the Division of Consumer Affairs will not tolerate unethical practices," Director Ricketts said. "Our boards will investigate any allegations of wrong-doing and, as in this case, take action where appropriate."

At least two years of the suspension will be active. After that time, Klein may apply to the Board for reinstatement under probation

In addition to the license suspension, Klein has been ordered to attend a professional ethics course, pay $10,000 in civil penalties and reimburse the State $427 for investigative costs.

Klein was arrested in July, 2002 after two meetings in June, 2001 between Klein, his partner, Charles G. Nisivoccia, and a confidential informant during which the doctors agreed to pay the informant $900 for each patient referred to their practice. Klein subsequently testified that he had paid $900 for each of several patients referred to his practice by the informant because he was able to bill automobile insurance carriers approximately $3,000 per patient for their care. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners suspended Nisivoccia’s license in December, 2005 after finding that he also engaged in professional misconduct by paying or offering to pay for the referral of patients.

Deputy Attorney General John D. Hugelmeyer represented the State in this matter.

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