Doctor Who?
Lisa
Barnes thought she was a very lucky bride.
The man she was marrying was a very successful doctor. Dr Gerald Barnes' Los Angeles clinic did the medical examinations for FBI. It had an important contract with the Federal Reserve Bank. It was famous for its charity work.
And Dr Barnes was popular with patients and business client. He was a highly respected member of society.
Or so Lisa thought.
Fraudster
Now it was true that Dr Gerald Barnes
was a fine doctor. Unfortunately he did not live in Los
Angeles. And he was not Lisa's husband.
The man everyone called ‘Dr Barnes’ was
really a convicted fraudster. His name was Gerald
Benbaum. And he was not a doctor
No Medical Degree
Before moving to California, Banbaum
had already been to prison four times four illegally
practicing medicine. He had no medical degree, though
he did have some training in pharmacology.
On leaving prison in 1976 Benbaum had created a new
identity for himself. First he legally changed his name
to Barnes. Then he applied for the certificates and
diplomas of another Gerald Barnes.
‘My house has burned
down,’ Benbaum wrote on ‘Dr
Barnes’ stationary. ‘And I need a new
certificate.’ (right; real Dr
Barnes)
The real Dr Gerard Barnes was in San Francisco. He knew
nothing about Banbaum’s letter to the medical
licensing board.
How?
How could ‘Dr Barnes’
continue to practise for nearly four years? One reason
is his pharmacology background enabled him to write
prescriptions. And the false doctor’s good
bedside manner reassured patients.
He is now serving 20 years in prison.
