Peter C. Harvey, Attorney General

Division of Consumer Affairs
Reni Erdos, Director

For Immediate Release:
April 7, 2004

For Further Information Contact:
Jeff Lamm, Genene Morris
973-504-6327

NEWARK - New Jersey is seeking to revoke the medical license of Dr. Edward Andujar, following his federal conviction on nearly two dozen charges of bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion, Attorney General Peter C. Harvey and Consumer Affairs Director Reni Erdos said today.

Andujar has been ordered to appear before the Board of Medical Examiners on April 14, 2004, at 11 a.m. to answer the State's allegations and demonstrate why his license should not be revoked. Andujar, whose medical license has been suspended twice before in New Jersey because of violations of Board rules, was convicted in federal court in February on one count of bankruptcy fraud and 22 counts of willful failure to file tax returns. The State's administrative complaint against Andujar is based on the convictions.

"It is obvious that Dr. Andujar not only holds the statutes and regulations governing the practice of medicine in New Jersey in contempt, he has also flouted federal law, engaging in acts of fraud in connection with his medical practices," Attorney General Harvey said. "His activities, in our view, warrant the most serious form of disciplinary sanction a professional board can impose: revocation."

"Dr. Andujar's illegal activities prove that he is incapable of carrying out his duties as a physician in a lawful manner," Director Erdos said. "By engaging in the activities outlined in the State's complaint, Dr. Andujar has also shown an utter lack of regard for his patients. If he cared for his patients, he would not have put his practice in jeopardy."

Andujar maintains practices, Medi-One, Dr. Eddie's Health and Nutrition, Inc., and Alternacare, Inc. in Mays Landing and Vineland.

The State's complaint alleges that Andujar's conviction on the bankruptcy charge stems from a Feb. 10, 1998, bankruptcy petition filed by Andujar on behalf of his Medi-One medical practice. Under federal law, Andujar was required to truthfully list all transfers, disbursements, and/or other financial transactions that took place in the one-year period immediately preceding the bankruptcy filing.

However, the complaint alleges, Andujar failed to disclose to the bankruptcy court that on Aug. 27, 1997 and, again, on Feb. 2, 1998 - only eight days before the bankruptcy petition - he had issued Medi-One checks totaling $41,500 to his father, Ismael. These "loan" checks were cashed and the money was given back to Andujar. Additionally, between March 4, 1997 and Dec. 22, 1997, Andujar deposited at least $64,975 of Medi-One's medical practice receipts into his personal bank account and failed to divulge this information to the bankruptcy court.

Andujar's conviction involving multiple charges of tax evasion resulted from the doctor's failure to file personal income tax returns between 1997 and 2001 despite earning income totaling between $50,000 and $236,000 for each of those years. In addition, Andujar was convicted of failing to file corporate income tax returns between 1998 and 2001 and employer's quarterly federal tax returns - including FICA and Income Tax withholding for his employees - on behalf of Dr. Eddie's Health and Nutrition, and Alternacare.

Twice before the Board of Medical Examiners has suspended Andujar's license for violations of Board rules.

In 1999, following allegations filed by the State accusing Andjuar of excessive fees, unnecessary treatments and aiding and abetting unlicensed practice, the doctor received a two-year stayed license suspension and was ordered to pay a $10,000 civil monetary penalty. Again, in 2002, the State filed allegations against Andujar accusing him of maintaining his medical office in an unsafe and unsanitary manner and running an unregistered narcotics treatment program. The State's allegations resulted in another disciplinary order suspending Andujar's license for two years, with the first two months active and imposing a $50,000 civil monetary penalty.

Deputy Attorney General Paul R. Kenny of the Division of Law is handling this matter for the State.