A resident of Milton, Massachusetts was convicted in court for operating as a dentist without a proper license, issuing illegal prescriptions, and submitting false bills to the state Medicaid program. The verdict followed an eight-day jury trial and was announced by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
The individual, 71-year-old Fritz Gabriel, was found guilty after authorities showed he billed MassHealth for dental treatments that were not actually performed at a clinic in Boston. These treatments included root canals, fillings, and tooth extractions. Investigators revealed Gabriel not only claimed to provide these services but also personally performed dental work without having the required qualifications.
Gabriel sent fraudulent claims to MassHealth that totaled almost $250,000. He further violated the law by issuing prescriptions for controlled substances like Percocet and Hydrocodone. Prosecutors stated he had used the credentials of a licensed dentist, including the dentist’s registration number, to obtain and write out these prescriptions without that dentist’s knowledge.
Gabriel’s criminal convictions include making false claims to Medicaid, larceny over $1,200, practicing dentistry without a license, and illegally issuing prescriptions for controlled drugs.
His sentencing is scheduled to take place on February 26. The case highlights the legal risks of practicing dentistry without a license and the seriousness of healthcare fraud in the state.
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