A NJ Sex Offender Was Given Back His Medical License. A New Law Changed That

It’s been nearly 20 years since New Jersey chiropractor Bryan Bajakian was convicted of sex offense charges and lost his medical license. His successful but short-lived attempt to get it back would change the way the state grants healthcare relicensing to convicted sex offenders.

In April 2005, Bajakian, of Bergen County, was brought up on charges that included attempting to lure a child for purposes of committing a sex act, knowing of or possessing child pornography, and illegal weapons possession. He eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of luring or enticing a child and illegal weapons possession in 2008.

Further investigation found that Bajakian was engaging in sexual conversations with minors on the internet. As a result of the charges, the New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners revoked Bajakian’s license in October 2010.

It was in 2021, however, that Bajakian was reinstated his license by the very same board, sparking outrage across the state. Governor Phil Murphy called the board’s decision "reprehensible" and "unacceptable."

According to a 2021 Patch report, the board's decision leaned heavily on a psychosexual evaluation conducted in 2019, which found that Bajakian was of "low" risk to harm others.

“Folks who voted to reinstate this guy should hear this loud and clear: We will be looking very carefully and very soon (at) the makeup of that board," Murphy said.

As a result, Murphy, former Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, and lawmakers took action to reverse the decision and reform the New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

In 2022, lawmakers passed legislation that not only reorganized the New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners but also prohibited licensure for people convicted of certain felony sexual offenses. The offenses include sexual assault, lewdness, and endangering the welfare of a child, to name a few.

The law also prevents those who’ve been charged with these offenses, but not yet convicted, from practicing until they are found innocent.

Since then, dozens of convicted sex offenders have been prohibited from working in their respective healthcare practice, according to state data.

NJ.com compiled a list of both convicted and yet-to-be convicted sex offenders who have been barred from practicing. See the list of those who are barred and their charges below:

• Bryan K. Bajakian: Chiropractor, convicted of aforementioned charges (Paramus)
• Paul Reses: Pharmacist, convicted of endangering the welfare of a child (Linwood)
• Joseph Hannah: Dentist, touched the breasts of nine female patients without medical cause (Toms River)
• Frederick M. Baker: Dentist, admitted conviction to at least one of the prohibitory offenses (Parsippany)
• Jose A. DeJesus: Registered nurse, convicted of endangering/sexual conduct with a child and criminal sexual contact (n/a)
• Amundson C. Williams: Practical nurse, convicted of criminal sexual contact (Sayreville)
• Michael Tyshkov: Pediatric gastroenterologist, convicted of sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child (Summit)
• Chikezie J. Aguh: Gynecologist, charged with sexual assault and criminal sexual contact (Matawan)
• Oscar Arnaldo Padilla: Registered nurse, failed to comply with the Board's investigation following sexual assault charges (New Brunswick)
• Karen Fortune: Registered nurse, convicted of criminal sexual assault (Woodbridge)
• Faroq Rehman: Doctor, convicted of criminal sexual contact (Old Bridge)
• Raymond D. Reiter: Orthopedist, convicted of sexual assault and criminal sexual contact (Franklin Lakes)
• Scott White: Chiropractor, convicted of criminal sexual contact (Point Pleasant Beach)
• Mohammad Z. Dahhan: Internist, convicted of criminal sexual contact (Paterson)
• Robin S. Brown: Practical nurse, admitted conviction to at least one of the prohibitory offenses (n/a)
• Matthew J. Muench: Home health aide, convicted of criminal sexual conduct (n/a)
• Luis Arocho: Pharmacy technician, convicted of criminal sexual conduct (n/a)
• Michael Leroy Ortiz: Social worker, convicted of criminal sexual contact (n/a)
• Raja K. Jagtiani: Doctor, convicted of criminal sexual contact (Bergenfield)
• Elijah P. Williams: Home health aide, charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child (Robbinsville)
• Rose Stanley: Home health aide, convicted of criminal sexual contact (Franklin Township)
• Jeff Banatte: Registered nurse, convicted of aggravated assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and endangering/sexual conduct with a child (Irvington).