EAST ORANGE, N.J. – The owner of an East Orange women’s health center has admitted performing gynecological services without a medical license and billing insurers and New Jersey Medicaid under the names of licensed doctors.
Esney Davis-Sharpe, 63, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Michael Ravin to second-degree health care claims fraud, third-degree Medicaid fraud and third-degree unlicensed practice of medicine, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced Friday. Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 5.
- Davis-Sharpe admitted performing gynecological services on patients despite not having a medical license.
- Prosecutors said she billed insurance companies and Medicaid under the names of licensed doctors for services she performed.
- The state will recommend four years of probation with 180 days in jail as a condition of the plea agreement.
Health Center Offered OB-GYN and Primary Care Services
Davis-Sharpe owned and operated Bessie Mae Women’s Health Center, a women’s and family health practice in East Orange that offered obstetrics and gynecology, primary care and family care services, according to court documents and statements made during her guilty plea.
As part of that plea, Davis-Sharpe admitted that she personally performed gynecological services despite not being licensed to practice medicine.
She also admitted submitting insurance claims for those services using the names of licensed physicians. Prosecutors said she similarly submitted claims to the New Jersey Medicaid Program under licensed doctors’ names for medical services she had improperly provided herself.
“This defendant admitted to defrauding Medicaid while providing medical services she was not licensed to perform,” Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said.
Davenport said the case involved both patient safety and the proper use of public health care money.
“Patients deserve to know that the individuals providing their medical care are properly licensed and qualified, and the public deserves confidence that Medicaid funds are being used as intended,” Davenport said. “We will continue to protect patients and safeguard the integrity of New Jersey’s Medicaid program.”
State Investigation Led to Cease-and-Desist Order
The case dates back to August 2023, when the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs referred allegations involving unlicensed medical practice at Bessie Mae to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.
Several months later, on Jan. 25, 2024, the New Jersey Department of Health served Davis-Sharpe with a cease-and-desist order directing Bessie Mae to stop providing services at the facility.
“Providing medical services without the proper license can put patients at serious risk,” Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Bernard J. Cooney said.
“This guilty plea demonstrates our commitment to holding accountable those who risk patient safety and undermine the integrity of our health care system through fraud,” Cooney said.
Detectives Regina Strugala and Chantel Blake led the investigation. Deputy Attorneys General Sean O’Connor and Lauren Aranguren are prosecuting the case for the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Plea Deal Calls for Jail Time and Restrictions on Medical Businesses
Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Davis-Sharpe receive four years of probation, conditioned on serving 180 days in jail.
The proposed sentence would also prohibit her from owning or operating a clinic or medical facility with patients. She would additionally be barred from serving as the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of such a facility.
Judge Ravin will determine the sentence at the Oct. 5 hearing.
Esney Davis-Sharpe admitted practicing medicine without a license.
She acknowledged performing gynecological services on patients at Bessie Mae Women’s Health Center despite not holding a medical license.
The fraud involved private insurance and New Jersey Medicaid claims.
Davis-Sharpe admitted submitting claims under licensed doctors’ names for medical services she had personally performed without a license.
Davis-Sharpe is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 5.
The state will recommend four years of probation with 180 days in jail and restrictions preventing her from operating or holding senior financial or executive positions at patient-serving medical facilities.
Sources: New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
