BRONX DENTIST AND HIS UNLICENCED ASSOCIATE ARE INDICTED ON CHARGES OF GRAND LARCENY, UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE AND RELATED CHARGES

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a Bronx Dentist Feliciano Espaillat, of "Espaillat’s Dental Concept" located at 638 East 169th Street and his associate have been indicted on charges of grand larceny, unauthorized practice and related charges.

Espaillat, 47, of 1419 Fteley Avenue, Bronx, and Jose Luis Vargas, 34, of 31-57 34th Street, Astoria, have each been indicted on charges of 1 count of Grand larceny in the 3rd degree, Insurance fraud, both class "D" felony offenses; 1 count of Grand larceny in the 4th degree, 2 counts of Scheme to defraud in the 1st degree, and Unauthorized practice, all class "E" felony offenses. If convicted of the most serious charges of grand larceny and insurance fraud, Espaillat and Vargas each face a maximum term of up to 7 years imprisonment for each count.

The defendant’s were indicted following an investigation conducted by NYPD Detectives Andrea Campbell and Virginia Hernandez of the District Attorney’s Squad. It is alleged that Espaillat, a licensed dentist, and Vargas, an unlicensed dentist acted in concert in allowing Vargas to practice dentistry on numerous individuals without a valid New York State license. It is further alleged that Espaillat fraudulently billed Medicaid in excess of $3,000, from October 2001 through December 2002 for work he claimed to have performed.

Further indictments may be added, as the investigation continues. The District Attorney is requesting that citizens who believe that Vargas treated them, to call the Investigations Squad at 718-590-2080 and give their name and number to the operator.

Assistant District Attorney Pina M. Terranova of the Arson / Auto / Economic Crime Bureau is prosecuting this case.