Oct. 2, 2015

JOINT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST IN WEST PALM BEACH

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health’s Jupiter Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit announced that a joint investigation with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security has led to the arrest of Carlos Andres Chaux Rodriguez for the alleged unlicensed practice of medicine, a third-degree felony and punishable by up to one year in jail. 

The joint operation was conducted at Kay’s Nail Salon, 2814 South Dixie Highway, Suite C, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33405, where an undercover investigator from the department was offered Botox and collagen injections along with a “Vampire Face Lift” by Carlos Andres Chaux Rodriguez who is not licensed in the state of Florida to practice medicine.

The department issued Carlos Andres Chaux Rodriguez a notice to cease and desist for practicing medicine without a valid state of Florida License. Kay Nguyen was issued a notice to cease and desist for aiding and abetting the practice of medicine without a valid license. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s officers arrested Carlos Andres Chaux Rodriguez.

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 website, calling 1-877-HALT-ULA, or emailing HALTULA@flhealth.gov.

The department’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) investigates and refers for prosecution all unlicensed health care activity complaints and allegations. The ULA 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 canresult in further injury, disease or even death.      

Working in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, MQA regulates seven types of facilities and 200-plus license types in more than 40 health care 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 http://www.flhealthsource.gov for additional information about MQA.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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