A Studio City man faces multiple felony charges after he allegedly impersonated a doctor and practiced “medicine on thousands of individuals,” according to a release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Stephan Gevorkian, 44, has been charged with five counts of practicing medicine without a license at his practice, Pathways in Toluca Lake.
“Practicing medicine without a license is not only a criminal activity in California, it can cause irreparable harm to the health of unsuspecting people, some with serious illnesses, who believe they are under the care of a licensed physician,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.
Some of those “serious illnesses” Gevorkian allegedly treated included cancer and viral infections, the release added.
An undercover investigator visiting Gevorkian’s practice in November received a consultation where “Gevorkian allegedly failed to accurately address abnormal levels of a hormone that could indicate a serious medical condition.”
A Pathways employee, however, told KTLA that the situation was a misunderstanding. Gevorkian’s attorney declined to comment.
On social media, the clinic describes itself as an alternative medicine provider that specializes in intravenous vitamin therapy.
“I pass by here quite frequently going to the dentist and I’m very shocked this happened,” said Monique Floyd, who works nearby. “I can’t believe it, that this man wasn’t a real doctor. Who does this?”
A statement provided by Gevorkian’s attorney said in part:
“Sadly, the DA’s public statements about this case are more about optics than substance. Any suggestion that Mr. Gevorkian was impersonating a doctor in an effort to deceive and treat unsuspecting patients is misleading and demonstrably false.”
Gevorkian’s first hearing is set for May 24.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim should call the Consumer Protection hotline at 213-257-2465.
