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Clinic Had No Doctor, Performed Procedures Illegally Say Canton Police

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 – updated: 6:05 pm EDT October 1, 2008

A clinic performing medical services illegally, including medical procedures on patients without a doctor on staff, has been discovered in Cherokee County, Canton police said Wednesday.

Police said they began investigating the Clinica de la Salud Hispana on Oakside Court after receiving a complaint that the clinic was using the name of a doctor who was not on staff.

An undercover operation discovered there was never a certified medical doctor on staff, according to authorities.

Prescriptions, including controlled substances, and 22 pre-signed blank prescription forms were discovered in a safe, police said. Police said they believe the clinic was filling prescriptions on site.

Officials said patients identified Miguel Velez as the person who performed medical procedures on them. During a search of Miguel Velez’s home, police said they found a “substantial amount” of cash, medications, documents relating to the clinic and medical equipment.

Miguel Velez was arrested and charged with 11 counts of practicing medicine without a license.

Raul Velez, the office manager and Miguel Velez’s brother, was charged with 22 counts of prescription documents signed in blank.

Raul Velez
Raul Velez

Warrants have been secured for Omar Velez, Miguel Velez’s son, who police said is listed as one of the owners of the clinic. Police are still looking for him.

There are three other facilities in the metro area of Atlanta. They are all using the same name of “Clinica de la Salud Hispana”. There is one located in Smyrna off of Windy Hill Road; Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell and Chamblee-Dunwoody Road in Atlanta.

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