A New York doctor has pleaded guilty to a serious crime that puts public safety at risk. Gerald Surya, a 47-year-old doctor from New Hyde Park, admitted to falsely certifying physical examinations for commercial drivers. This crime is a blow to the public’s trust in the medical profession.
Surya’s guilty plea was announced by Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Douglas Shoemaker, Regional Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General (USDOT-OIG).
Dr. Surya was authorized to conduct USDOT mandated medical examinations and certifications for CDL applicants. However, he purportedly performed such examinations at his office located at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York. In fact, the applicants were not examined by Dr. Surya, but instead by other office staff members who had little or no medical training and were not authorized to conduct the mandated medical examinations.
As set forth in court filings and facts presented at the guilty plea proceeding, drivers of certain commercial vehicles, such as school buses and heavy transportation trucks, must possess a CDL issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pursuant to regulations set forth by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).
Before obtaining a CDL, all applicants must pass written and road tests related to safely driving such large vehicles. In addition, the applicants must be examined and certified fit to drive those vehicles by a physician or other qualified medical personnel authorized by the USDOT to conduct such examinations.
Surya faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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