Former Doctor From L.I. Illegally Performed Plastic Surgeries: AG

A plastic surgeon from Westbury and a licensed physician were arrested on Thursday for performing more than 60 illegal plastic surgeries, including one that disfigured a patient, over the course of four years, according to Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman.

Brad Jacobs, 56, and Nicholas Sewell, 74, of Jackson Heights, are accused of defrauding patients who were undergoing costly cosmetic surgery procedures by claiming Jacobs was authorized to practice medicine when he in fact was forced to surrender his license 10 years prior.

Jacobs, a former plastic surgeon, surrendered his New York medical license, restricting him from practicing medicine, after the New York State Department of Health charged him with 29 specifications of Professional Medical Misconduct in 2007, the AG says. Those charges included gross negligence, incompetence and moral unfitness related to his performance of surgeries including breast augmentation, tummy tucks, liposuction, and rhinoplasty.

“It is unconscionable that an unlicensed surgeon would take advantage of unsuspecting patients like this,” Schneiderman said in a press release. “Practicing medicine without a license jeopardizes the lives of New Yorkers, undermines our health care system, and diminishes the work of licensed doctors committed to their patients’ safety and health.”

Despite losing his license, Jacobs began illegally seeing patients and performing cosmetic surgeries and procedures after Sewell, a licensed physician in New York State since 1982, procured operating room space at Allure Plastic Surgery, located at 150 East 61st St. in Manhattan, officials say.

From September 2012 to June 2016, the AG says Jacobs and Sewell performed cosmetic surgeries, which averaged between $8,000 and $10,000, along with several other medical procedures, like Botox and injectables. Many of those defrauded were former patients of Jacobs or those referred to him by former patients, the AG says.

Patients would be required to pay in cash or write checks payable to a relative of Sewell's in order to cover up the fraud, the AG says. Sewell would then transfer the money from that account into a different one under one of Jacobs’ relatives’ names, which was completely controlled by Jacobs, officials say.

The indictment alleges nearly $50,000 was transferred between the two accounts to conceal the fraud, the AG says.

Jacobs and Sewell were both charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, third-degree grand larceny, nine counts of unauthorized practice of a profession, two counts of first-degree scheme to defraud and fourth-degree money laundering.

Both men were arraigned on Thursday in New York County Supreme Court. Jacobs is currently in custody on $4 million bond or $2 million cash bail while Sewell is currently in custody on $2 million bond or $2 million cash bail. They were also both ordered to surrender their passports.

They each face up to 25 years in prison.

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