April 14 – New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott announced the arrest of Morales D. Brown, a psychiatrist working for the New York State Office of Mental Health at its Central New York Psychiatric Center, on charges he stole over $6,524 from New York State by submitting falsified time and attendance records. Additionally, Brown is accused of falsifying inmate medical records, claiming he evaluated and treated inmate patients when in fact, he did not.
Morales D. Brown, 59, was charged with Third Degree Grand Larceny, a Class D Felony; and four counts of First Degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing, a Class E Felony.
“As a psychiatrist, the defendant took an oath of the highest ethical standards, yet he chose to disregard his vows, potentially endangering the health and safety of inmate patients. He further wrongfully enriched himself to the detriment of the State by falsifying his time and attendance records. As a result of my investigation, he is now facing criminal charges.”
Between August and September 2016, while employed as a psychiatrist for the New York State Office of Mental Health, Brown allegedly falsified three medical records known as “Psychiatric Progress Notes” after falsely claiming to have attended to inmate patients. The Inspector General’s investigation indicates that no inmate patient was actually harmed as a result of the defendant’s alleged conduct. Additionally, between January and September 2016, Brown is alleged to have submitted false time and attendance records for time that he did not work and received payment from New York State.
Brown was placed on administrative leave on September 15, 2016.
Brown was arraigned before the Hon. Donald S. Buttenschon of the Marcy Town Court, and is scheduled to return on May 3, 2017.
Inspector General Leahy Scott thanked Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara for prosecuting this matter, the New York State Police for effectuating the arrest, and the Office of Mental Health and the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for their assistance in the investigation.
The Defendant is innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. ###
SOURCE: New York State Inspector General