FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2014

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health’s Ft. Lauderdale Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit announced that their joint investigation with the Davie Police Department has led to the arrest of Mohmed Belim for the alleged unlicensed practice of opticianry, a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail.

Belim was arrested after a year-long investigation by Davie police into food stamp fraud. He was found to also be selling synthetic marijuana and contact lenses without a license. The Department issued Belim a cease and desist notice and a civil citation in the amount of $1000.00.

The Department has several resources to combat unlicensed activity:

• Consumers are encouraged to use the Department’s website www.FlHealthSource.gov where they can conveniently view the license information of their health care practitioner.
• Complaints may be filed anonymously by completing and mailing the complaint form on the Florida Department of Health’s Web site or calling 1-877-HALT-ULA.

The Department’s ULA program protects Florida residents and visitors from the potentially serious and dangerous consequences of receiving medical and health care services from an unlicensed person. The Department’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) investigates and refers for prosecution all unlicensed health care activity complaints and allegations. The Unlicensed Activity Unit works in conjunction with law enforcement and the state attorney’s offices to prosecute individuals practicing without a license. In many instances, unlicensed activity is a felony level criminal offense. More importantly, receiving health care from unlicensed people is dangerous and could result in further injury, disease or even death.

Working in conjunction with 22 boards and eight councils, MQA regulates seven types of facilities and 200-plus license types in more than 40 healthcare professions. MQA evaluates the credentials of all applicants for licensure, issues licenses, analyzes and investigates complaints, inspects facilities, assists in prosecuting practice act violations, combats unlicensed activity and provides credential and discipline history about licensees to the public. Visit www.FlHealthSource.gov for additional information about MQA.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. During 2014, the Department is recognizing 125 years of public health in Florida with educational opportunities and events. Please visit www.FLHealth125.gov for more information.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.